Serving Others

Every command given by God stems from our relationship with someone, either with God or with others. In Colossians 3:18-4:1 Paul instructs the child of God concerning various relationships. As we scan those verses we notice that he addresses such relationships as husband and wife, parent and child, and servant and master. We may also notice phrases that refer to our relationship to the Lord. Consider: (vs. 18) ""as is fitting to the Lord"", (vs. 20) ""this is well pleasing to the Lord"", (vs. 22) ""fearing God"", and (vs. 23) ""as to the Lord"". In order to please God one must follow the laws He has given to govern our relationship with others.

Often when we think of the ""servant of God,"" we think of one like Paul (Acts 20:16-21) who devoted his life to public preaching. However, these verses show that ""servants of God"" are given a broad range of responsibilities that involve areas other than preaching.

Servants in the Community

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-37) illustrates the need to be ""a neighbor"" to those in need. In the same chapter of Luke (Lk.10:36-41) we find Martha serving others in her home. It is true that Martha was so distracted with ""much serving"" (vs. 40) that she missed ""that good part"" (vs. 42). But, who would deny that in showing such hospitality she was serving God? Dorcas was also known for her charitable deeds (Acts 9:36-41). With such service to others she also served the Lord.

Take the time to look in your neighborhood and you will find someone in need of a word or deed of kindness. There is a story about an old gentleman who everywhere he went, carried an oil can. He generously used his oil can to lubricate the squeaky hinges that he encountered. There are many ways in which we can make the difficult places smoother for our neighbor if we will try. As the song suggests: ""Oh, the things we may do, you and I, you and I; Oh, the love we can give if we try; Just word or a song as we're passing along, They will count in the great by and by.""

Servants in the Home

In Colossians 3:18-24, Paul addresses all aspects of the family relationship. The great demise of the family in our time is directly related to a failure of each family member to view themselves as servants. The focus of so many is on ""what I can get"" rather than on ""what I can give.""

Parents, that precious child of yours is not to be used as a means of enhancing your social status so that you can pursue your career. You must view yourself as a servant of that child. Teaching them to love the Lord is your primary responsibility.

Children, you must not view your parents as those who ""owe it to you."" When was the last time you thanked mom and dad for all of the care and concern they've given you? Your responsibility as a child is to humbly submit to their guidance for this is ""well pleasing to God.""

If husbands and wives (as servants) would focus on the need of the other rather than on their own needs, the marriage would be much happier. This also pleases God.

Servants in the Local Church

Apparently, the churches of Galatia were plagued with those who were ""biting and devouring one another"" (Gal. 5:15). God's solution to this mutual destruction was mutual service (Gal. 5:13). The New Testament epistles are full of those famous ""one another"" passages that point to our responsibility to serve our brethren. Some ways in which we may serve other is by: 1) expressing compassion (Rom 12:10); 2) practicing hospitality (Rom. 12:13); 3) helping those who are needy (Rom. 12:13); 4) empathizing (I Cor. 12:25,26); and 5) exhorting (Heb. 10:24,25). There are many small deeds that are often unnoticed by people but acknowledged by God (Hb. 6:10).

Benefits of Such Service

There are several benefits that we may derive from such service. Consider some of them.

First, serving others is the best way to prevent strife. Isn't it interesting how times of crisis seem to lessen the rivalry (Gal. 5:13-15)? I have observed some who cooperated quite well at a funeral who could not work together in a local church! Stop thinking about yourself and start thinking of the needs of others. A second benefit of such service is that less money goes to the psychiatrist. Quite often those in despair simply need a listening ear (Gal. 6:1-10; James 5:16). The third benefit is that such service pleases God. Paul says that our service is like ""an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice well pleasing to God"" (Phil. 4:18).

May our lives be ordered by the hymn we sing: ""Others, Lord, yes others, Let this my motto be, Help me to live for others, That I may live like Thee.""

George preaches for the church in San Marcos, Texas.