Continuing for the third day about sacrifices in the New Covenant. Today’s topic is service as sacrifice. Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
If we could track the prayers sent that are asking for help, it would be an uncountable flood of pleas. Somehow God can manage this. He uses people to answer many of these prayers. He enlists us to aid in this process.
Service is rarely glamorous or heroic. It can be mundane. This makes it all the more worthy of God’s notice. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”, (Mt. 25:40). To do the boring and complicated tasks takes greater discipline to assist with. Those that we are helping are often ungrateful or difficult. Often times their poor coping skills are what’s contributing to drama in their lives. So, it no surprise that they are lacking. We often go without thanks or appreciation. We can learn from Jesus. He continued with His sacrifice, even when those He was dying for were vengeful. He said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do”. The act takes on the meaning of the word sacrifice. It truly is difficult to help at times.
Serving others is good for the servant. When people come to counseling with their lives out of control, they often get the advice to get involved in service. They learn the healthy habit of focusing on others. Their over obsession on themselves is often a swirling vortex that is pulling them under. It feeds their depression and hopelessness. When they learn to serve others, their own circumstances brighten. They are tapping into several of God’s laws. “Give and it will be given unto you”, (Luke 6:38). God rewards generosity. He wants us to change our focus from ourselves. We as parents attempt to instill an “others focused” attitude in our children. As we serve, we feel the joy that God intends.
It’s not often when we see that something pleases God. Service is one. This seems underemphasized. Probably due to the difficulty of the task. Yet, it pleases God. We should make it a priority.
Service doesn’t just happen when we plan it. We encounter service opportunities as we go through our day. They often come at inconvenient times. It takes faith to put our needs on hold. We need to trust that God will provide our portion. He will reward that trust.
Lord, help us to serve. Help us to understand how it pleases You and to trust that You will take care of us.