Serving God Through Serving Others

August 30, 2024

What’s the greatest thing you can do with your life? Serve God.

But, how can we actually serve God? We can’t see him. How do we serve a God we can’t physically see?

Jesus teaches that we serve God by serving others. He said, even if we give a cup of water to somebody who’s thirsty, and we do it in the name of Jesus, that’s as if we did it to him, God. We serve God by serving others.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

We were put on this planet to make a difference. God put us here to make a difference with our life and to leave the world a better place.

Romans 6:13 “Give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”

You know the talents that you’ve got? They’re not for your benefit. God gave you your talents for the benefit of other people. If you think your talents are simply for you to make a lot of money, retire, and die, you’ve missed the point of your life. God gave you talents to benefit others, not yourself. And God gave other people talents that benefit you.

Whether you are a musician or an accountant, a teacher or a cook, God gave you those abilities to serve others. 

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV).

In what ways has God called you to use your gifts, talents and experiences to serve others? How have you been obedient?

This could look like so many things. Often it looks like investing your time selflessly into someone else who needs your friendship or mentorship. It could also look like feeding the homeless, volunteering with youth and pouring into the next generation, tutoring students, supporting a missionary financially, caring for an elderly neighbors yard… the list could go on forever. I encourage you to ask God to show you the needs around you and ask him where you could partner with him in serving those around you.

It is my hope that you will take a step toward using what God has given you to serve others. And, I hope that you can link arms with other believers in our church to accomplish great things and meet the needs of the people around you.