Serve

Godly men must serve. Service is not beneath leadership and it most certainly is not separate from love. Rather, it is the natural outworking of both. Jesus, though Lord of all, declared that He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Service, then, is not a task reserved for the overlooked or the powerless. It is the calling of every man who claims to follow Christ. A godly man recognizes that true strength is not proven by domination but by sacrifice.

At work, godly men must serve by seeking the good of others rather than advancing only their own interests. Paul reminded believers in Philippi to look not only to their own concerns but also to the concerns of others, modeling the humility of Christ (Phil. 2:3-4). This may mean stepping in to help a coworker who is overwhelmed, offering encouragement to someone who feels unseen, or doing unglamorous tasks without complaint. Service in the workplace does not diminish a man’s influence; it magnifies it! Those who serve faithfully set a standard that quietly commands respect and points others toward Christ.

In the home, godly men must serve with sacrificial devotion. Jesus demonstrated this when He washed His disciples’ feet, a humble act that foreshadowed His ultimate sacrifice (John 13:14-15). In the same way, husbands and fathers are called to serve their families. This may look like laying aside personal comfort for the sake of a wife’s well-being, investing time in discipling children, or meeting practical needs with a willing heart. Service in the home communicates value, strengthens bonds, and provides a living example of Christlike humility to those who matter most. The home, after all, is a man’s first and primary mission field.

In the church and in society, godly men must serve by using their gifts and influence for the glory of God and the benefit of others. Peter urged believers to employ their gifts as good stewards of God’s grace, serving one another so that in all things God may be praised (1 Pet. 4:10-11). Service in the church might involve teaching, encouraging, giving, or simply showing up to meet needs when others cannot. In the broader community, it can take the form of volunteering, mentoring, or caring for the vulnerable. Wherever he is, a godly man must see service not as a burden but as an opportunity to reflect Christ to a watching world.

The pattern is clear: godly men who lead must do so by loving, and godly men who love must do so by serving. Service ties leadership and love together, grounding them in the humility of Christ. Godly men must serve because their Savior served first, and in following Him, they reveal His heart to those around them.