May 16, 2020
“God Helps those Who Help Themselves”
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:35
Have you ever been in an upscale hotel and ordered room service? I’ve looked at the menus before, but the food is so expensive I’ve never done it. You may have and that’s okay, because most of us like to be waited on once in a while. It is interesting how we expect perfect service in a restaurant and let the management know when we didn’t receive it. We expect good service at stores, auto shops, post office and any other area where we might need something. Matter of fact we demand it most of the time and complain when we don’t get it.
Sometimes I think we are that way with God. We use God as room service. We call on him when we need things. We need something to go right at work, or in a relationship, or with our health. We need the family situation to work out and everyone to be at peace. We call on God to deliver and then when things do not work out we want to blame God.
Now please do not misunderstand me. I believe God cares about every single part of our lives, but I also believe He has given us the ability to help ourselves. He created us in His image to go about doing what He does. I can’t recall one time when Jesus expected someone to serve Him. He was always serving others. He was always meeting needs. He was always going above and beyond even to the point of washing the disciple’s feet.
Now I know the Bible doesn’t actually say, “God helps those who help themselves,” but I believe sometimes it is understood. We become blessed when we share blessings. We receive mercy when we give mercy. We receive forgiveness by forgiving. In Revelation 22:12 it says, “’Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
We can sit down with our salvation and expect God to give us room service and then we will have received our reward. Or we can do something that will build up the Kingdom of God and one day watch as Jesus rewards us for our service. Salvation is free and it is given to all who honestly ask. Rewards are earned and they are given to all who serve. Start allowing God to help you as you serve Him and others.
Dear Jesus, give us the desire to serve you and others. Not for the reward you have for us, but for the reward of seeing others loved and cared for in your Kingdom. Give us the ability to serve others as you have served us. We ask all of this in your holy name, Amen.