God created mankind. He knows what we need. He knows we need each other. God knows this world is complicated. He knows this world is painful. God created both the marriage relationship for companionship and He created friendship for companionship. It is in that context that God created the church – as a group of believers to serve each other and to serve their fellowman.
Why should Christians serve?
JESUS CAME TO SERVE:
In Mark 10:45, Jesus points out very simply that He did not come to be served but to serve, to offer His life as a ransom for many. Doing good to others was an integral part of the ministry of Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:23). When Peter was telling the first non-Jewish convert to Christianity about Jesus Christ, Peter began with this very same point: “Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).
Why should Christians serve?
BECAUSE THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO BE COMPASSIONATE!
God has always required His children to serve others. Take the Jews, for example – the first religion organized by God. In Deuteronomy 15:4-8, the law says: “However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, if only you listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.”
In fact, the word “poor” is found 143 times in the Bible! From beginning to end, the Bible teaches us to help the poor.
In the great “Sermon on the Mount,” Matthew 6:2-4, Jesus assumes that His followers will help the poor: “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Paul was eager to “help the poor” (Gal. 2:10).
Why should Christians serve?
BECAUSE THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO BE SELFLESS:
In Romans 12:3, Paul tells us: “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” and a few verses later, Paul will say that when you give to help others, do so liberally (verse 8).
Christians have the highest standard and the highest motivation and the greatest example of “selflessness” there is – that is the person of Jesus Christ…
Why should Christians serve?
BECAUSE JESUS INSPIRES US!
Take a look at 2 Corinthians 8:9-10: “ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.” The context of 2 Corinthians 8 is giving to help those who are in need. But Paul sets this discussion in the overall context of Jesus, who was rich but became poor for our sakes. Now, the Bible does not require us to become poor. Nowhere. But it does teach us to use our riches wisely and part of that wisdom is helping those who need help.