This week’s devotions are based on Week 6 of Building Together: “When Faith Goes to Work!” (WATCH HERE)
Matthew 23:5 “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Serving others is a good thing. We help at church, work hard at our jobs, care for our families, and look for ways to meet the needs of those around us. But have you ever stopped to ask why you serve? Sometimes, even our good works can become a way of serving ourselves. We want others to notice our efforts, appreciate our contributions, or recognize our importance. What looks like service on the outside can hide a heart that is seeking something in return.
Jesus confronted this problem when He spoke about the religious leaders of His day. He described men who did their works to be seen by others. They loved places of honor, public recognition, and titles that made them appear important. Their outward actions might have looked religious, but their hearts were focused on themselves. They wanted the praise of people more than the approval of God.
We can fall into the same trap. We might volunteer at church but feel disappointed when someone else receives the credit. We may gladly help when our efforts are noticed but lose interest when nobody seems to care. We may even use a position of leadership to insist that everything be done our way. These attitudes reveal how easily sin twists our service into an opportunity to promote ourselves rather than love our neighbors.
Paul offers a different way in Philippians 2:3–4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” This does not mean we should think poorly of the gifts God has given us or refuse opportunities to lead. Instead, it means using our gifts for the good of others rather than for our own glory. True service asks not, “What will I get out of this?” but, “How can I help?”
Yet simply trying harder to become humble will not solve our deepest problem. We need hearts renewed by the grace of God. The good news is that Jesus did not wait for us to become worthy of His love. He gave Himself freely, not to gain recognition, but to rescue us from sin and death. Through His death and resurrection, our selfishness is forgiven, and we are given a new life in Him.
Because Christ has loved and served us first, we are free to serve without demanding applause or repayment. We can rejoice when someone else succeeds, quietly meet a need, or accept a task that nobody else wants. Our service does not earn God’s favor. It flows from the favor we have already received in Christ.
As we continue building together as God’s people, may our service become less about being noticed and more about helping others see the love of Jesus.
Reflect: When am I most tempted to seek recognition or appreciation for the things I do? What is one way I can serve someone this week without expecting praise or anything in return?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have used my service to seek recognition, importance, or control. Thank You for loving me and saving me through Jesus, who gave Himself for me without seeking earthly praise. By Your Holy Spirit, renew my heart so that I may serve with humility, rejoice in the good of others, and use my gifts to build up Your people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.