Who’s First?

Do you serve for the good of others? Or do you serve yourself? Are you doing what you do because God assigned you the task? Or are you doing it because it makes you look good?

This may seem a strange line of questions – but it’s a subject that confronts every Christian at one point or another. Even the disciples struggled with their desires to be the greatest in the kingdom (see Mark 9:34). Yet, Jesus was always quick to remind them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

Unfortunately, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that we can measure the success of what we’re doing the same way the world measures achievement. We mistakenly believe that if God receives glory from our service, then it should be glorious for us as well.

Yet, when we remember some of God’s faithful servants from the Bible, we realize their situations were far from easy or glamorous.

* God allowed Job to suffer the loss of his children, his health, and everything he owned (Job 1-2).

* God told Isaiah to be barefoot and naked for three years as a judgment against Egypt and Ethiopia (see Is. 20).

* God commanded Ezekiel to lie on his side for a day for every year of iniquity found in Israel and Judah. He was also to prepare his food using cow dung as fuel (see Eze. 4).

* God instructed Hosea to marry a prostitute (see Hos. 1:2).

* God sent His only Son to die naked on the cross for our sins (see Matt. 27; Mark 14; Luke 23; John 19).

Of course, most often, God will call us to do those mundane things that seem so unimportant – that don’t benefit us in any way. As Jesus said in Mark 9:41, “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong in Christ, assuredly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” These are the simple acts that show compassion towards other people – and which display the character of Christ. They are not done for any personal gain: rather, they are done out of an overflow of Christ’s love in us.

Friend, the reason you serve God is not for the sake of your name, reputation, or even your income. The reason you serve God is to be obedient to God – to show His love to a lost world. So whenever you go to do something in His name, check your motives. Are you doing it for His kingdom or for yours? Are you putting yourself first or last?

Taken from The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible