Serving To Glorify God

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

Yesterday, we began talking about why serving isn’t just something we feel like we have to do, but it’s something we should want to do. We discussed that the first reason for this is because we are gifted to serve. I’d highly encourage you to go back and read yesterday’s devotion if you missed it. But for now, we’re going to continue this discussion with two more reasons why we should want to serve.

The second reason we should want to serve is that others are gratified by service. I was reading the other day about the rhinoceros; a two-horned terror of unbelievable speed, size, and agility and feared by all the other creatures in the jungle. However, there is one creature that has no fear of the rhinoceros, and it is called the “Buffalo bird.” These birds perch on the back of the rhino and some even peck into the rhino’s back just like a woodpecker pecks on wood. Some fly around the head, and others perch on the ears. But the rhino doesn’t attack and doesn’t get angry, because he knows what that Buffalo bird is doing.

You see, rhinos have poor eyesight, and their bodies are covered with parasites that they can’t control. Buffalo birds love to eat parasites. And then when danger is in the area, the birds will let out a shrill call warning the rhinos of what they can’t see. That little Buffalo bird does a great service to that rhino and in return, the Buffalo bird doesn’t fear any predator, because it is on the back of the most dangerous animal in the jungle.

Now, if God can use a little Buffalo bird to serve a mighty rhino, don’t you doubt for a moment that God cannot use you and the gifts He has given you to be a great benefit and to gratify other people.

Finally, the third reason we should want to serve is that God is glorified by service. When you serve God, you get a “two-for-one.” Not only are others gratified by your service, but most importantly God is glorified by your service. You were put here on this earth to glorify God. If you are a believer, you will spend eternity glorifying God. That is why the scripture plainly says, “Whatever you do, you do all to the glory of God.”

There is one simple way you can evaluate anything you are thinking about doing in your life, or with your life, at any given moment, and that is to ask this question: “Is what I am doing or about to do would be glorifying to God?”

I am convinced that so much of what we do in life really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter today, and it won’t matter tomorrow. But the things that will always matter are the things that will gratify others and glorify God. So let us be diligent in making sure that what we do, what we say, and how we spend our time and talents bring glory to the Father.

Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve others. I want to be obedient in taking advantage of these opportunities and serving in a way that gratifies others and glorifies you. In Jesus’ name, amen.