Text: Colossians 3:22-25
Memory verse:
”My heart is with the rulers of Israel Who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the Lord!“
Judges 5:9 NKJV
God’s service requires serving Him in His own terms to attract His rewards.
Let’s consider some other conditions for serving God acceptably.
Serve sincerely and not with eye service. “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.“ (Col 3:22).
Eye service is service done only under inspection or in the presence of the master. It is attending to duty only when being watched. Thus, those who practice it are called ‘men pleasers’. It is an insincere and pretentious lifestyle. Paul warned the Philippians to obey both in his presence and his absence (Phil 2:12). We are called not as men pleasers but as God pleasers. As believers, whether you are serving in ministry, working in church, or in an organization, your goal should be to please God. If you see your workplace as God’s appointed mission field, you won’t work to please yourself or people but God. This is the message of Paul here. “Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Phil 1:10 AMP). Some serve God today, like politicians, seeking the approval of men rather than God. Men pleasers are popular among men but unknown in heaven!
Another reason why God rejects service performed to Him is when the service is rendered unwillingly. “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.“
(Exo 25:2). Any service rendered out of compulsion, intimidation, pressure, threat, or under duress will not receive any reward. Pastors and leaders are also called to serve their flocks not by compulsion but willingly (1 Pet 5:2). Don’t serve as if you are doing God or the church a favour. Rather, let it flow from your heart, counting it as a privilege to be called to serve the Almighty God, whom innumerable numbers of mighty angels serve day and night! So, never serve Him grumbling, murmuring, or complaining.
Friends, whether within or outside the church, don’t just seek to serve but to please God. May the Almighty recognize and richly reward all your services,, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer points
1. Father, please, take away from me any desire to please myself and to seek men’s approval in all my services, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, help me never to serve unwillingly, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations.
1. I see my workplace as my mission field, so I seek to please God as I serve my boss.
2. When I serve willingly and not out of force or intimidation, I receive God’s reward for good service.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng