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SACRIFICES FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE (III)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Nehemiah 5:14-19

1 Peter 5:1-4

 

“…not by constraint, but willingly;

not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.”

 

SACRIFICES FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE (III)
 
“What do I get in return?” is one question that greatly affects service and decision-making when considering whether to do something or not. It is a question that reflects one’s expectations. And the expectations one has can either bring one joy and peace, and add purpose and zeal to one’s endeavours, or lead to hurt, disappointments, frustrations and greatly limit the effort and selflessness with which one chooses to serve. Expectations either derail and devalue the service one renders or add hope, meaning, and value to what one does. In Scripture, selfless service is a biblical principle that is consistently emphasised.
 
Neither bought we any land (Neh 5:16). Genuine desire to serve is a prerequisite for all Christian service. All that one does has to be done willingly. This willingness is reflected in counting the cost of service and being willing to bear it as one prepares for and enters into service. It is also reflected in the selflessness and the sacrifices made in the course of service. One place that greed often shows itself in Christian service is at the “negotiating table” when seeking to determine terms and conditions for service to be rendered. These talks often lean towards a pursuit of filthy lucre and, in the long run, become a hindrance to the work of God. In Nehemiah’s case, we clearly see that sacrifice did not hinder, but rather furthered Christian service. Nehemiah did not stop serving. Instead, he “continued in the work of this wall” (Neh 5:16), despite not being “chargeable unto the people” (Neh 5:15) like others before him. In Nehemiah’s case, sacrifice did in fact fuel service as it helped him maintain a singular focus on the work at hand. He and all his servants “gathered thither unto the work” (Neh 5:16) since they did not have the distraction of attending to side-pursuits or other interests besides the work at hand. He could therefore be consistent in the work since he did not have any other personal interests to mind. Like Joshua dividing the land to the children of Israel without seeking for himself “a worthy portion,” he did not seek to enrich himself in any way in the course of his service to God and to his brethren. He especially did not do so at the expense of the poor people.
 
THOUGHT: Serving others for gain and recognition is sinful.

PRAYER: (Use Proverbs 30:8-9.)

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