How to become a (bond)slave for others
Do you and I have to serve others? No.
But if we choose to serve God, then yes, we have to serve others. No choice in that connection.
You and I can’t say, “Oh, I serve God, but I really don’t feel the need to serve others.” If you don’t feel the need to serve others, you’re not connected to God.
Once you and I realize the blessings God gives us and is trying to give everyone, we’ll want to spread the blessings to others by serving them.
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more…” -1 Corinthians 9:19
So how do we do that?
Actually, that’s what this whole site is about. In this post, though, I’d like to share the fundamentals to get you started. These are the two general ways you can serve others:
- Serve what they want
- Serve what they need
(Notice that serving what you want to serve is NOT on the list.)
Find what they want and give it to them
If people think you don’t care about what they care about, they think you don’t care. And usually they’re right.
Our care has to align with what they care about.
As Christians, we’re lousy in this area. We have amazing gifts that we’re trying to share – salvation for one. And yes, I think that salvation and a relationship with God is the best gift we can share with others.
But they don’t. They see salvation as a points game, probably because you and I have given it that reputation.
To break that reputation, you and I have to show that we care on a level they understand. They don’t understand salvation – the Bible says it’s foolishness to them.
But they do care when it comes in the form of giving what they want, not what we want to give.
I love how Paul says it…
“…I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” -1 Corinthians 19:22
That’s the first part of serving others: giving what they want.
Find what they need and give it to them
Immediately following that verse, Paul continues…
Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” -1 Corinthians 9:23
I like to think of this as the final goal. The final goal of all this serving is to lead others closer to Jesus. That’s what it’s all about. And I think it’s good to keep that in perspective.
But that’s the extreme end – there are lots of other “needs” we can meet on the way to salvation. For example, someone might need…
- Relationship advice
- A friend to listen
- Help breaking an addiction
These are three examples of “needs” someone might have without knowing or being able to express them. As slaves for others, it’s our job to find out what those deep needs are and meet them.
3 tips about “wants” and “needs”
#1. Try to meet “needs” so it feels like you’re meeting “wants.” If someone doesn’t want what you’re offering, they’re not going to accept it. Helping them understand why they need this (or why they should want this) is part of the serving process.
#2. “Wants” and “needs” can be the same. Sometimes, people know what they want and really do need it. What a blessing! Definitely serve in that area.
#3. You can’t meet every “want,” which leads to this last section…
Slave to God – slave for others
You and I have to keep this distinction in focus when serving.
You and I are slaves to God. He owns us. He gives us the instructions. Our obedience is measured against what He’s says, not what anyone else says. We’re accountable to Him.
You and I are slaves for others. God doesn’t need help. He doesn’t need our service. Instead, He’s given us the opportunity to help others because they do need our service, which comes from God working through us.
This is important for at least two reasons:
1. Provides focus
You’ve heard that people are “needy” – well, they’re even more “wanty.” With all this pulling at you, it’s a struggle to figure out what and how to serve.
Do you give the guy money for drugs? Do you pimp for the lady on the corner? They want it, right, so why not give it to them?
We’re slaves to God, so although we listen to others to understand them, God’s guidance trumps everything. We serve others only as long as it aligns with God’s guidance.
2. Provides motivation
There comes a time after you start serving others when you want to quit. For me, that’s five seconds into it.
If serving others were the end goal, I’d give up. But it’s not. The end goal is to glorify God. With all the blessings He’s given us, there’s a powerful motivation for serving Him, which leads directly to serving others. We don’t necessarily serve others to serve others – we serve others to serve God.
Do we have to? No. But since we’ve chosen to serve God, we want to serve others.
“[W]hoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20:26-28
Serving Suggestions:
(1) Serve others. Take the lessons you learn here and apply them specifically to minister to someone. Show God’s love through your life. Help them feel it.
(2) In the comments, how has serving God led to serving others in your life?
This post is part of “The bondC guide to slavery” series. Click here to read the rest.