The Joy of Putting Others First-Part 2

In the last post I shared reasons for why we should put others first, today we will be discussing how.

Ways to serve others-

Seek opportunities.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

You don’t have to make a four course meal to bring joy to others. If you hear of a sick member, take the time to send them a card, make a phone call. Ask them how you can be of help to them.

The death of a loved one is an especially difficult time, when the service is over, and the family starts packing up to go back to their homes it is often worse. Try to be there for the family and give your time and companionship.

Be ready when an opportunity finds you.

I always stop when I see an elderly person struggling to reach something at the store, or offer to help look for something if they seem to be confused about where to find an item. It doesn’t take but a moment to give a bit of joy to another person, so be open when you see a situation where you can help.

Be ready to serve limitlessly.

Jesus had no “off limits” time. When the disciples came to tell him of the tragic beheading of John the Baptist, what was his reaction?

“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

Mark 6:31

Christ put the disciples needs before His own in a moment He could have easily not even noticed. Would our reaction be the same as we grieved?

Most often the call to serve will not come at the best time for your schedule. Try to be there as often as possible, giving to others what you can and do so with a smile on your face and in your heart.

Be ready to serve in any way.

Don’t limit yourself to sending cards or baking a cake. Put yourself out there and try to do something new. Give all that you are able to give in your current situation, and try to find ways you can serve more.

Jesus did the dirty work- J. Oswald Sanders is quoted as saying “It is noteworthy that only once did Jesus say that he was leaving his disciples an example, and that was when he washed their feet”

John 13:12-15 “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.’ “

Are you willing to do the “dirty work”?

Nothing that we can give can ever be as much as Christ gave for us-Christ gave all- Philippians 2:4-10 says “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Don’t start alone.

If you are a new Christian, or just new to the gift of serving others, you may feel uncomfortable with visiting. One way you can make the transition a little easier would be to go with a group of women.

You can learn much by watching how these women who have served for years handle difficult situations like hospital and nursing home visits, as well as visiting those who are dying.

I was terrified once to go to the home of a member that was dying of cancer. I was so thankful to have been able to go not alone, but with my sisters in Christ. I watched and listened, and tried to follow their lead in a very difficult situation. I was glad to have been there, even though it was not easy.

Involve your family.

Not every situation will lend itself to children being present, but even when they cannot go with you, try to involve them. Let them help you go shopping, or help with the cooking. When you are on your way out to serve others, let them know the reason, and have them pray for the people involved. Teach them compassion. Have them pick gifts for a needy person during the holidays, or allow them to assist if your church makes food baskets.

Serve with the right motives.

When Samuel was searching for the King that the Lord would appoint to replace Saul, the Lord said to him-

"Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7

The Lord is looking at the inside. You can serve to be known as someone who works to the bone for others, but that isn’t for the right reason. The Lord knows our heart.

"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Matthew 6:2

If we serve for the wrong reason we will also miss out on the joy that serving others brings.

Serving others is not a glorious job. It can be tiring, and sometimes uncomfortable. When you have pushed past your own wants and do as our Father would have us to do, I assure you will be left with joy and peace. In some instances you may be the only person that was willing to do the job, you most certainly were a blessing to them.

The secret of giving to others however, is that it is you, when you die to self, who receives the biggest blessing in return, the joy of putting others first.