Service

Good Morning,

2 Corinthians 9:12-14 (NIV)
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Okay, let's ask what many might consider an obvious and necessary question this morning. Some would ask, "Why should I serve in my local congregation? I mean, I see many who come to our place of worship and don't appear to really be doing anything, so, why is it that I should serve in some way?" Seems like a logical question, doesn't it? I'm sure that there are those among us who have been asked that question in one form or another. I'm a bit ashamed to say that my answers haven't been, well, let's just say that they haven't been very convincing or, perhaps, even intelligent or enlightened. Thankfully, God gives us an answer in today's verses that help us to explain why we ought to be serving in God's Church (and our local congregation) here on this earth.

The first thing that we see is that when we serve, we are "supplying the needs of God's people." Now, this should seem pretty logical to all of us, shouldn't it? A great reason to provide some service or to give financially is to help out those who are in some need. I think that we can all agree on that point. What's to argue? A brother or sister finds himself or herself in need and someone among God's people provides for that need. Pretty simple conclusion to a problem, isn't it? So, the fact that we are helping people is one reason to serve when we see a need.

The next thing that we read is that when we serve there is also an "overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." Doesn't this seem like a pretty good reason to serve? Don't we want to hear people thanking God for His provisions in their lives? Now, remember, more often than not, God's provisions...financially or by providing some service or other...comes from the children of God. In other words, God doesn't just drop "manna" from heaven, so to speak, but works in the lives of believers in such a way that they will step forward and do what is necessary in ways of serving. So, if we will think about this a bit more deeply, then perhaps we might feel moved to serve just a bit more.

Third, we read "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God..." Oh, how it fills my heart and pleases my very soul when I hear those praises for God! Whether it be through words or music or any other way, people praising God is a marvelous and wonderful thing. So, when we provide service or fill some need in our local congregation, it will result in praise for God. One directly leads to another when we serve in God's name and are obviously doing His work among His children.

Now, in doing what it is we ought to be doing in service, we see that it comes from "...obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing..." In our service to and for God, we need to be sure that those being served understand exactly who it is that we serve, first and foremost...God! He is our Father and we serve Him gladly. In serving Him, it follows that we also serve His children and even the whole world. That's why these verses aren't limited to ONLY our brothers and sisters in Christ. No, if we read closely we see..."for your generosity in sharing with them (God's children) and WITH EVERYONE ELSE." You see it? We're not to limit our giving and serving only to those who meet inside the walls of one Christian congregation or other. Not at all! It is clear in these verses we read today that our service is also to be for "EVERYONE ELSE," as well.

The final thought here this morning is in the last words we read, "And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you." I certainly can't answer for you, but I will gladly admit that I can use all the prayers that are offered for me. I would be willing to venture that the same can be said for you, as well.

You see, God has graced us with the means and ability to give and serve in His name and for His purposes. He has also provided blessings, in His name, for us when we are obedient to His call to serve and to give.

My question for us all this morning: In what way can I serve by supplying the needs I see around me? Then, of course, what logically follows: When will I do it?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David