Service To Humanity

Text: Matthew 25:35-45

for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

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Our individual gifts and the value of using them to serve others provide our mission and promotion in life. Each challenge in the Church and society provides an opportunity to render service to humanity. A Christian life is lived according to how many lives we are able to touch, looking for opportunities to provide service for others using our knowledge, skills and abilities. To whom much is given, much is expected. There is no human being who does not have something to give but the snag is that many don‘t even know they have something to give. Christians can learn from this quote by Albert Shweitzer, who said, “ I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Our life is a life of service asking what we can do for others rather than what we want from them provides us an area of service that makes us become good Christians. An opportunity is provided to spend our lives for Something that will outlive us. What else could make a right thinking person fulfilled than being accorded a rightful place in heaven after his demise? A whole-hearted service to God and humanity makes him or her wake up each day with joy and look forward to the end of the day with peace of mind.

Lee Tolstoy said, “Just imagine that the purpose of life is your happiness only then life becomes a cruel and senseless thing. You have to embrace what the wisdom of humanity, yourintellect, and your heart tells you: that the meaning of life is to serve the force that sent you into the world. Then life becomes a joy.” Being valuable to others makes one become fulfilled and happy, just as you can't hold a torch to light another's path without brightening your own. When you make people happy, you'll experience joy according to the natural law of sowing and reaping. Happiness is not money, and achievement is not just riches alone, it is what you do to make a difference in the lives of other people along the way that matters.

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1Timothy 6:7 reads,

For we have brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out

Money has no value except the value we use it to create; hence, we ought to be interested in the service we want to provide for people. Our mission and purpose in life should motivate us to provide service to people. Money should not be the primary reason for our struggles in life but the service we wish to provide for humanity. In the first stage of life, we do all our best to achieve everything for ourselves until we ask, “Is this all there is to it?” This gets us to the second stage where we should be able to ask, “What can I do to be useful to others?” The real success stories are those of people who actually make the transition from success to significance through the service they provide. We don't need to wait until we are old to reallocate ourselves to such a life. Christians should make their mission in life a cause that is greater than them, and anyone, no matter his or her calling can live a life of service. Such living requires a decision to give more than one receives and provide exceptional service for people to emulate. It entails using one's position to provide service for others rather than acquire wealth for oneself.