Rules of Service pt.2
The greatest privilege given to a mortal man is to serve God, It’s a very high calling. In fact, Hudson Taylor said “if you are called to serve God, how dare you reduce yourself to the status of the president of a nation”. The implication and truth of that statement, is that the calling to serve God, is higher than the call to lead men.
God’s desire is that his children serve him. In turn, God will reward in time and in eternity. However, God does not reward every service. Let’s see the 7 things God looks out for before he accepts and rewards the service.
1. Right motive
Your motive in service must be right. If you are offering any service to God and your motive for instance, is to be seen and applauded by men, you lose the reward that comes from God.
Matthew 6:1 NLT
[1] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
2. Righteousness
Unless a service is offered from a pure vessel, God won’t accept it neither will he reward it. Would you eat a very sumptuous meal from a filthy plate? Your answer most likely is no. So why should God accept service from a filthy vessel?
2 Timothy 2:20-21 KJV
[20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
[21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
3. Peace
Love and Peace is vital to God. Thus, if you’re serving God in any capacity and strife of any kind exists, that service will not be accepted by God.
Matthew 5:23-24 NLT
[23] "So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
[24] leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
4️. Joy
Anytime you are coerced, or forced to give a service, to the Lord, and you do it grudgingly or as a result of pressure, God won’t accept the service. We must serve God with joy and consider it a huge privilege.
2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
[7] You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."
5️. Staying within your purpose
It is important you understand the specific assignment God sent you to accomplish. That’s because, you will be assessed based on the assignment you were given. In the verse below, Paul recognized that though he baptized a few people, he was not specifically called to baptize as a core function.
Please note that though every believer is called to baptize, there are people called to specifically baptize as a core function like John the Baptist. Just like prayer, soul winning and every other spiritual activity. Every believer is called to pray, but there are believers who are specifically as a core function, called into the ministry of intercession. The same way, every believer is called to be a soul winner but there are people specifically called as a core function to be evangelist.
1 Corinthians 1:17 NKJV
[17] For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
6️. Quality of work done
Beyond just serving God, it is important you put in the highest quality in your service to Him. That’s because God rewards us for not just serving, but for serving excellently. God is delighted when you do a good job, when the quality of what you are offering is top notch.
Matthew 25:21 NKJV
[21] His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
7️. Faithfulness to the assignment given
Vital to service to God, is faithfulness. Meaning that whatever is committed into your hands, you focus on doing it, no matter what. No excuse is good enough to stop or fail until the task is completed.
A good example of faithfulness is Noah. God asked him to build an ark. He built is for several years though no one joined him and many discouraged him, he kept on building for many full years. Although the Bible is silent on the exact timing, it is reasonable to assume that some time elapsed for the three sons (Shem, Ham and Japheth) to grow up and find a wife. I would be most comfortable giving a range of anywhere from 40 to 80 years. That’s faithfulness
1 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV
[2] Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
8. Lack of reverence
God is the Almighty one. He takes a position much higher than that of all the presidents in the world put together. To serve him is a great privilege. Thus, we serve him with great reverence. Your service to him can’t be done haphazardly or carelessly else, it will be disregarded.
Hebrews 12:28 NKJV
[28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.