5 Benefits to Serving

We get to choose how we invest the time that we are given. One of the greatest investments you can make with your time is to serve others. Here are five benefits that you receive when you invest your time serving others.  
 
1. When we serve others, we serve Jesus.
When we serve others, we are being Jesus' hands and feet.
Jesus says: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” Matthew 25:40. Jesus tells us that when we serve others for His glory it is as if we are serving Jesus himself. Tasks like carrying someone’s groceries, painting a deck, ushering, or teaching children all take on greater significance when they are done to show the love of Christ.
 
2. Serving enables us to join God in His work.
The single greatest purpose we have in life is to glorify God. One of the main ways we do this is by making disciples and building God’s kingdom on earth. The apostle Paul writes: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2:10. God has chosen to use His people to join Him in His work. Knowing that we are partnering with God to accomplish His will is incredibly satisfying.   
 
3. Serving connects us with other believers.
The church is not a building, it is the people. When we serve, we get to work side by side with other like-minded believers. This strengthens our faith and encourages us. 
 
“42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47
 
4. We get to use the spiritual gift God gave us.
God has equipped believers to complete the work that He has prepared for us to do. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” 1 Peter 4:10. God gives believers gifts that He intends for us to use to bring Him glory.
 
5. We get to see God move in powerful ways.    
By joining God in His work you have the unique opportunity to see God move in people’s lives. This strengthens our faith and encourages us that serving matters.