"It Isn't a Chore for Me"

Why do we serve?

Yesterday during our services, I thanked someone for serving that morning. Her response was “Of course! I love doing it. It isn’t a chore for me.” I didn’t think much about her response until about half an hour later. It made me think, do we actually look at serving that way?

Whether it’s serving in an official church team context or helping out a friend in need, do we see serving as a chore? Obviously, we wouldn’t admit it, but I fear too many people do. For those who need recognition, for those who need thanked, for those who need to always see the concrete difference their time is making - I think at least some, if not most, may view it as a chore.

Serving in the church takes time, energy, preparation, sometimes money, and a willingness to do so. It can take a lot out of you. Why are we serving? Do we do it with joy because we are serving a great and mighty King, or because we want more authority and control? So that we can spread God’s love through the ways he has gifted us, or so that we can be hold some sort of power within some little area of the church organization?

I think that’s why they say that 20% of the people in the church do 80% of the work. Those who see serving as a chore instead of an overflow of God’s love are going to be worse at serving. They might be less willing. They might give the bare minimum. They might walk in not prepared whatsoever. Those who serve with a sense of “I get to do this” instead of a “I have to do this” will serve with a full heart. They will serve as they are able. They will do it with a smile on their face. They will give the church more than what the church asks for. Because it’s not about the chore. It’s not about the project. It’s about serving God.

Faith shouldn’t be a job. We all have to do certain things we don’t want to do at times we don’t prefer. That’s fine. Sometimes I’m not feeling it on a Sunday morning, either. But if every “Christian” thing to do is a job, we need to check out hearts.