Day 34, June 3rd,
"Thinking Like A Servant"
- Philippians 2:5 says, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." Service starts in your mind. If you are going to be a good servant you need to have a mental mind shift and change your attitude from negative to positive. "God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements." (Rick Warren). Think about why you are serving, not what others will think of it. Real servants serve God with a mindset of five attitude:
1. Servants think more about others than about themselves.
- "Don't think less of yourself, think of yourself less." (Rick Warren). Philippians 2:4 says, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." We need to forget ourselves in service to others. We need to stop focusing on our needs and become aware of the needs around us. "It's only when we forget ourselves that we do the things that deserve to be remembered." (Rick Warren). It is important that we don't use service as a bargain tool for God. Often times we get caught up and try to bargain with God. If I do this then I should get this. It is important not to do that. Real servants let God use them for his purposes and not their own. "Self-denial is the core of servanthood." (Rick Warren). Matthew 5:41 says, "If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles." Think more about others and less about yourself.
2. Servants think like stewards, not owners.
- Remember that God owns everything. It is important that we settle the issue of money in our lives. Luke 16:13 says, "'No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.'" Wealth is not a sin but not using it for God's glory is. "Servants of God are always more concerned about ministry than money." (Rick Warren). God uses money to test our faithfulness. Luke 16:11 says, "And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?" If God can't trust us with worldly wealth, how is he going to trust us with the riches of heaven? God tells us to test him with our tithe. Malachi 3:10 says, "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, 'says the Lord Almighty, ' and see if I will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'" Tithing is giving 10% before taxes to the church. Every time you tithe God says he will pour out a blessing to you. He doesn't say it will be financial but he says he will pour out a blessing. I can personally testify to this. Every sense I have started tithing I have been cancer free. I will never stop tithing. It is so powerful. "How you manage your money affects how much God can bless your life." (Rick Warren).
3. Servants think about their work, not what others are doing.
- It is important that we do not compare, criticize, or compete with others. We need to be too busy doing the work that God gave us to do to have time to compare ourselves to others. Romans 14:4 says, "Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, they will stand and receive his approval." Don't judge others or compare yourself to others. In our society today this is hard. Social media makes it difficult for us to not compare ourselves to others. Real servants do not complain about unfairness. If you serve like Jesus you can expect to be criticized.
4. Servants base their identity in Christ.
- We don't have to prove our worth to anyone. Accept jobs that insecure people think are beneath them. Jesus washed his disciples feet. Any job you do is not beneath you. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. I struggle with this one but have gotten a lot better in the last few months. It is important to not worry about what others think about you. Only worry about what God thinks of you. 2 Corinthians 10:18 says, "When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them." The closer you get to Jesus the less you need to promote yourself and get approval from others.
5. Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation.
- Servants enjoy helping people and meeting their needs. Serving is the highest use of life. "The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve." (Albert Schweitzer). I truly enjoy serving others. I feel so fulfilled and time passes by so fast. Serving is my spiritual gift.
Point to Ponder: To be a servant I must think like a servant.
Verse to Remember: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Question to Consider: Am I usually more concerned about beings served or finding ways to serve others?
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