Day 18 | Serving

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10

One of the pastors at the church I grew up in used to say something to the effect of “you’re never more like Jesus than when you’re serving others.” On one hand, Jesus did say that he came “not to be served but to serve” (Matt. 20:28), so my pastor was on to something. On the other hand, now that I’m a pastor, I think it was probably an attempt to recruit more children’s ministry workers.

Nevertheless, serving others is a crucial part of what it means to grow in obedience to Jesus. According to 1 Peter 4:10, each of us is gifted to serve in a unique way to serve others in the body of Christ. When we employ that gift in the life of the church, we are being good stewards. When we withhold that gift from the church, we are being poor stewards—and on top of that, the church suffers because of it.

Have you discovered how the Lord has uniquely gifted and wired you to serve his church? If so, are you stewarding that gift well by serving others? Let’s pray that the Lord would make clear to us how he has gifted us to serve the church and then let’s be obedient to employ those gifts for God’s glory, the good of others, and our own joy.

Prayer prompt: Pray for a culture of joyful service rather than obligation.