We have desires to be used by God through big works and to offer many fruits to Him. Having this mind and giving ourselves over to the work, it’s easy for us to lose the heart of serving. Then, we miss something very important.
Jesus showed us the image of humility and serving, which we must follow. The new law of His Kingdom overturned worldviews.”Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” (Matthew 20:26-28 NIV) What a paradox! He himself washed disciples’ feet and laid down his life at the cross as a ransom for sinners. Jesus exemplified the life of serving others.
True serving brings joy, and it is beautiful. Serving is an active deed of love. The act of serving moves the hearts of others and offers comfort. The Bible tells us that God remembers our serving toward others and will reward us. Thus, the relationship between God and ourselves becomes deeper through serving others.
May the word of God widen your hearts and inspire you to serve others, resembling Jesus.
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
– Matthew 20:26-28 NIV
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
– 1 Peter 4:9-11 NIV
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
– Romans 12:13 NIV
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
– Hebrews 13:2 NIV
We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
– 3 John 1:8 NIV
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
– Galatians 5:13 NIV
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
– 1 Peter 5:2 NIV
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
– Acts 20:35 NIV
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
– Proverbs 11:25 NIV
The greatest among you will be your servant.
– Matthew 23:11 NIV
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 NIV
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
– Hebrews 13:16 NIV
Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
– Luke 22:25-27 NIV
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
– 1 John 3:17-18 NIV
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
– Proverbs 14:21 NIV
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
– Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
– Hebrews 6:10-12 NIV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
– Hebrews 10:24 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
– Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
– Romans 15:1 NIV
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
– 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
– Romans 12:5-8 NIV
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
– Galatians 6:2 NIV
Examples Of Hospitality In The Bible
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
– John 13:12-14 NIV
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days.
– Act 28:7 NIV
Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
– Romans 16:23 NIV
9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread. 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.”
– 1 Kings 17:9-20 NIV
By Kelly L.
Bible Portal Staff
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