You'd Better say, "thank you!"

Two Christians I know work at ministry. Both are bright, talented, and show up to do what they do faithfully.  One serves the Lord for the pure joy of serving and it shows. She doesn't ask for thanks or seek glory. Many have no idea what she does for the Lord, but even more would miss the work should she stop doing it! The other is always fishing for compliments. He angles for attention, making sure that anyone who will listen knows just how much time and effort he puts into his ‘service.’ In a conversation I had with another Christian, she spoke at length about her long-time 'service' in the various churches she has attended over the years. She complained about how one church after another failed to recognize her abilities, about Pastors who didn't give her the place she thought her talents deserved. She's been a Christian longer than I've been alive, but, alas, seems to have missed out on maturing in faith. 

Ministry is never about 'me,' never about what service does for 'me.' True service in God's work is about giving ourselves away without thought of cost, recognition, or reward.  A Christian who seeks to use ‘ministry’ (be that teaching Sunday School, making meals, preaching, or giving) to gain affirmation, personal fulfillment, a sense of self-worth, or just to 'be somebody' in the big wide world will miss the true blessing of God’s reward. And, what is supposedly done “for the Lord”  will be tainted with pride. This will corrupt the service and rob the work of spiritual power.

A story in the book of Acts helps us to understand the importance of selfless service. Barnabas was a learned Christ-following Jew who was very influential in the early years of the development of Christianity. The Bible describes him with these glowing words... "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. " (Acts 11:24, NLT) This leader heard about a man named Saul who once had been very hostile to Christians. Paul had been converted but was finding it hard to find acceptance by Christians who were still frightened by his reputation. So, Barnabas went and found Saul (later renamed Paul) and introduced him to the Church. For the next few years, when people spoke of the team, it was always "Barnabas and Paul." But, the mentor was soon eclipsed by the gifts of his student. People came to refer to "Paul and Barnabas." A few years later, Barnabas slipped into obscurity and Paul went on to be known throughout the Church!

Think about it!

What might Christianity be like today if Barnabas had gone to see Paul, recognized the man's greater gifts and tremendous abilities, and thought “if I help him, he will steal my position.”?
What if he saw Paul's potential to become greater and decided that he didn't want the 'competition?'

Thankfully, good ole' Barney didn't see his 'service' to the Church as a means of building his reputation, feeling good about himself, or gaining a place where he could be recognized in this world.

Jesus told a story about service that pierces prideful motives. Think deeply about it. If you realize that your service has even a grain of pride, of self-serving, of concern for reputation or reward, ask the Lord for forgiveness and for the Spirit's help in developing true humility.  “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, he doesn’t just sit down and eat. He must first prepare his master’s meal and serve him his supper before eating his own. And the servant is not even thanked, because he is merely doing what he is supposed to do. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.’ ” (Luke 17:7-10, NLT)

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Love Divine

Love divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of heav'n, to earth come down.

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,

All Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, Thou art all compassion;         

Pure unbounded love Thou art!

Visit us with Thy salvation,

Enter ev'ry trembling heart.

Breathe, oh breathe, Thy loving Spirit

Into ev'ry troubled breast.

Let us all in Thee inherit

Let us find that second rest.

Take away our bent to sinning

Alpha and Omega be!

End of faith as its beginning

Set our hearts at liberty.

Come Almighty to deliver,

Let us all Thy life receive.

Suddenly return and never,

Never more Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing

Serve Thee as Thy hosts above.

Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,

Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation,

Pure and spotless let us be.

Let us see Thy great salvation

Perfectly restored in Thee!

Changed from glory into glory,

‘Til in heaven we take our place.

Till we cast our crowns before Thee

Lost in wonder love and praise.

Charles Wesley | John Zundel

Public Domain