Service is Stewardship
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Rooted – Grounded in Service (CLICK HERE)
When we have the right mindset, we ask the right questions. When we ask the right questions we get the right answers. When we have the right answers we are able to implement the right behaviors.
What do I mean?
Our sinful nature wants us to have the mindset that everything we have in life is ours. It’s our time…our money…our careers…our resources etc. This mindset leads us to ask the question, “What do I want to do with my….?” We navigate life as stewards of our own belongings and manage them for what is in our own best interest. It’s understandable. It’s natural. But it leads us to view service as in imposition or invasion into our time and resources. As a result we don’t see service to the Lord through his church as something that is desirable, but rather an obligation or duty that we have to fulfill to get back to what I want to do.
The Spirit of God desires to create in us a new mindset, not a mindset of selfishness, but one that sees everything we have as a gift from God. When God’s Spirit helps me understand that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it and that my times are in God’s hands, I begin to realize that my life, resources, gifts and talents are all on loan from God. When this mindset takes place, I begin to ask a different question, “Lord, what do you want me to do with your stuff that you have entrusted to me?” I see myself as a manager of the Lord’s time, money, and gifts and desire to use them as he desires me to. The Apostle Peter put it this way: 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it 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.
We are stewards of a small portion of God’s gifts, goodness and grace. He has given us life and faith to be used in service of him and to be a blessing to others.
So now I ask different questions. Lord, how do you want me to use YOUR time? Lord, how do you want me to use YOUR money? Lord, how do you want me to use YOUR gifts?
When we ask these questions, we seek God’s answers in his Word where he directs us in the use of our time, finances, gifts, etc. to use them to glorify him and serve others.
The result? My life becomes one of service to the Lord and to others. I see my part in the body of Christ gathered at my church and desire to join the effort with fellow believers to grow the impact of the Gospel in our community. I realize that the finances God has given to me are first to be given back to him as a statement of trust that he will provide with the remaining 90%. I realize the talents and gifts he has given to me are to be used to glorify him and be a blessing to others.
Service is stewardship. Service is simply doing with the time, gifts, and resources God has given to me as God has desired from me.
The result?
Well done, good and faithful servant!
Apply: What is one behavior that changes when God’s Spirit works his mindset deeper into your life?
Prayer: Lord thank you for everything you have given to me in life. Help me with your direction to use all that you have given to me to glorify you and serve others. AMEN.
You are part of the team!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Rooted – Grounded in Service (CLICK HERE)
Nothing significant has been accomplished by just one person. One person accomplishes something significant because he is surrounded by a team of people. Think of great inventors that have provided an invention that has changed our culture and lifestyles…the Wright brothers, Edison, Gutenberg…all of these people had individuals around them who enhanced and promoted their ideas. Additionally inventors often build on experiments of people who have tried in the past. Each person on a team brings to the effort their unique abilities and insights. Together, even though the invention is credited to one individual, the invention becomes a staple of the people who live.
When we think about the Christian faith, it works in a similar way. The reality is that Christ, of course, is the initiator of the CHristian faith and movement. However, he has invited and called us all to be part of it. The Spirit of God has gifted each of us with different gifts and abilities that are to be used in service of the Gospel message. The fact that Christ is known around the world is because God’s people have been willing to use their gifts to serve.
1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
When the Spirit of God calls you to faith through the Gospel he also gives you gifts to serve the cause of the Gospel. He makes you part of the greatest movements the world has ever known to bring the solution to sin to the hearts of people. The service we give to the promotion of the Gospel is the greatest work we can ever do. The purpose is God-given and the impact is eternal.
Perhaps at times service to the Lord through your church can seem unimportant, busy work or an imposition on your schedule. Certainly service is not to be driven by guilt or obligation, but by a great sense of purpose and importance to connecting people to Jesus.
So whether it is mowing the grass, teaching Sunday School or kids church, giving an offering, or producing an online broadcast (and much more), the service we give impacts the lives of people. You are also needed. If God was done with you, he would take you to heaven. But if you are still breathing, God has a purpose for you.
When we serve, we participate in the greatest movement in the world and for the world. Don’t sit on the sideline as the opportunities are many and your gifts are needed. You are an answer to Jesus’ prayer:
Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Apply: How can you use your gifts to serve the Lord through your local church? Your gifts are needed!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me to faith and giving me gifts to serve. Forgive me for failing to use those gifts. Renew my heart to see and carry out the great purpose you have given to bring Jesus to the world. Use me Lord! AMEN
What’s in it for me?
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Rooted – Grounded in Grace (CLICK HERE)
Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
At some point in our lives we have probably wished for one wish. The “genie in the bottle” of Alladdin fame captures our attention and gets us thinking, “What would I ask for?” Better than Alladdin, James and John, two followers of Jesus, had Jesus in front of them. They make a bold request, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
How would your respond? If you went to your boss and asked him this question…If you went to your parents and asked them this question…If you went to Jesus and asked him this question.
Jesus plays along, but before committing to giving whatever they would ask he asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
This question is telling as Jesus penetrates their heart without them even realizing it. He knew they were coming to him to get something from him.
Can we be the same way? Perhaps we don’t start with the same question as James and John, but get to their conclusion even quicker…I can ask Jesus for whatever I want and I EXPECT him to give it to me. Test this by asking yourself, “How did you react when Jesus DIDN’T do for you what you asked!
We can naturally be pretty self-centered in our lives. Even in our relationship to Jesus, we can often approach that relationship as though Jesus were our “sugar-daddy” who is at our beacon call to give us whatever we ask.
So we have to learn what James and John learned.
They wanted a position of power in Jesus’ kingdom. They wanted to be the right and left hand person. They were even so confident to say they could go through the suffering Jesus would go through.
The other ten? They were indignant at James and John either because they thought, “Who are THEY to ask this?” or I could imagine they may have thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Jesus had 12 hearts he needed to mold away from their selfishness to understand what life in his kingdom was all about. Life in his kingdom was not about being the top person and demanding service from others, but being willing to serve others. Serving others moves our heart from being self-focused to others-focused.
And when God molds our heart to be others-focused through service, we no longer care what’s in it for me.
Apply: What changes in your day if you embark with the spirit of serving others vs. seeing how much others serve you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for confronting my selfish heart and directing it away from sin to serve others. As you have served me, may your love for me motivate and guide my service to others. AMEN.
Serve with your gifts…Part 2
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Rooted – Grounded in Grace (CLICK HERE)
This morning’s devotion is reposted from February 23, 2022…
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. … 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.
If…then…day two…
Between writing yesterday’s devotion and today’s devotion, I was thinking about the question, “Why wouldn’t I use a gift God has given to me?” How would you answer that?
I was out in my garage. I have been blessed…or accumulated…many tools. But not all of them are getting used. Why not?
- I don’t know what it is or how to use it. There are some tools I have inherited from others that I’m not sure exactly how to use them. I’m sure with a little research and a little practice, I could benefit from them.
- I know what the tool is, I am just too busy to use it. The tool lies idle because other things in life prevent time in my shop.
- I don’t have a project to work on. This is rare…but the tool will do no good if it is not put to use to help accomplish a project for a greater good.
Do you see parallels to spiritual gifts? We may not know what they are or how to use them (See link again in the “Apply” section). We may know our gifts, but find ourselves too busy to add them to the body of Christ. We may feel like there is nothing for me to do with my gifts and therefore feel like they are not important.
All of these need a commitment to change. I commit to discovering my spiritual gifts and using them. I commit to decluttering other aspects of my life so I can use the gifts God has given me to be part of his church, his body and add my gifts to the collective of others. I commit to seeking ways to use my gifts, not waiting to be asked, but offering them to the service of the Lord. Commit with the Spirit’s help to use the gifts God has given to you. As we’ve said all week, “You have a gift…use it!”
So, if you have the gift to encourage, then give encouragement.
One with the gift of encouragement is willing to come alongside someone to support and walk with them. Perhaps you have the ability to see when someone needs a kind word, appreciation or just recognition for a job well done. If you do…use this gift often! People all around you need encouragement!
If you have the gift of giving, then give generously.
Giving to the Lord is the responsibility of every Christian. Giving the first of your income and a tenth of your income is just the regular activity of a Christian. Giving beyond that is the gift of giving. The gift of generosity enables one to give beyond their ability, at the sacrifice of some things personal, but for the advancement of the ministry of the Gospel in some way. Generosity is certainly financial, but the gift of giving can extend to a generous giving of time to serve or use of talents to help.
If you have the gift to lead, do it diligently.
Some people don’t like to be out in front. Some do. Maybe you are one of those. You are comfortable casting the vision, organizing the team, and motivating action for the kingdom of God. People look to you for direction or just affirmation that things are moving in the right direction. You are ok making decisions because often the “buck stops with you.” If this is your gift follow the lead of your Savior and find an area of ministry to lead God’s people forward with great things for the Lord!
If you have the gift to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
I think it is hard to walk in someone’s shoes, to carry their burden, and do it cheerfully. But maybe God has gifted you to do this. You are willing to help when no one else is. You are willing to lend a hand when others are too busy. You are willing to show compassion when others aren’t. And…you keep a smile on your face because you know it was for this reason God put you in a person’s life. If showing mercy is your gift, use it and do it cheerfully!
What are the gifts/tools God’s Spirit has given to you? Don’t let ignorance, business, or lack of opportunity keep you from using the gifts God has given to you. Talk to your pastor and other Christians…discover your gift. Take a look at your calendar…make time for your gifts. Take a look at the opportunities around you…and USE your gift!
Apply: Monday’s devotion had a link to a Spiritual gifts assessment. There are others, simply google “Spiritual Gifts Assessment” and try a couple. See if they share similar results. Experiment with what you find and enjoy the process of using them.
Prayer: Lord, help me see the gifts you have given and then put them to use! AMEN
Serve with your gifts…Part 1
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Rooted – Grounded in Grace (CLICK HERE)
This morning’s devotion is reposted from February 22, 2022
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your 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.
“If…then…”
In the English language this construction is called a “simple conditional.” This simply means that if the first part of the sentence happens or is true, the second half of the sentence will naturally follow.
“If we score more points than the opponent, then we will win.”
“If we go out to eat tonight, then we will have to eat at home the rest of the week.”
These verses of Romans 12 have seven “if…then…” clauses. Bottom line. If you have been given a gift from God’s Spirit, then USE it!
The truth is established in verse 6, “We HAVE different gifts…” The gifts that we have are another facet of God’s grace. We didn’t earn these gifts or work up towards them. They are given.
So like a Christmas gift, we HAVE different gifts…so we are encouraged to USE them!
The Christian faith isn’t a “bench” game. We are all in the game! As we reflected on yesterday, each part is important to the whole. But each part may have, or probably does have different gifts.
But it doesn’t matter the difference, the point is to use the gift you have been given.
So, if your gift is prophesying, the prophesy in accordance with your faith.
The gift of prophecy may include special insights or revelations from the Lord, but the key role of a prophet wasn’t to come up with things on his/her own, but simply relay the word of God to the ears of people. If you have a gift to do this…then prophesy!
If your gift is serving, then serve.
This is a gift many find connection with. You don’t want to lead. You don’t want to be in charge, you just want to have a role and a task and go at it. A servant is one who is willing to fill a role wherever it is needed.
If your gift is teaching, then teach.
Can you explain things in a way people understand? Can you make the complex understandable? Do people say, “Oh, now I get it”? Perhaps God has given you a gift to teach his truth to others!
If you have a gift…then use it!
Tomorrow we’ll look at the rest…but for today, perhaps simply ask the Lord to make clear to you what your gift is. If you haven’t already, take this assessment: LINK
If you have questions, email me at pastor@crossandcrowntx.com.
Apply: If you haven’t take 10 minutes and fill out the assessment. Share with someone or with me what the assessment told you.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the grace and gifts you have given to me. Empower me, Spirit of God, to USE these gifts to your glory! AMEN.