How To Be A Servant Of God

Serving God can fill your life with meaning and purpose. If you want to live a life following God’s will and glorifying Him, being a servant of God is the path to get there.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: devote yourself to prayer, study the Bible, love others, and use your talents to serve.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the key principles behind being a true servant of God. You’ll learn how to cultivate the traits of a servant’s heart, the biblical foundation for servanthood, and practical ways to serve God daily.

Cultivating a Servant’s Heart

Lay Down Your Pride

To be a true servant of God, we must lay down our pride and remember that everything we have is a gift from Him (James 1:17). Pride causes us to focus on ourselves rather than others. But Jesus shows us the way of humility, saying, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).

Amazing things happen when we humble ourselves before God and let His light shine through us. As C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

Love God and Others

The two greatest commandments are to love God and love others (Matthew 22:36-40). As servants of God, our love for Him should overflow into radical, sacrificial love for others. We must see people as Jesus does – as lost and broken without Him.

He wants us to love the unlovable, serve the underserved, and share His gospel through word and deed. Mother Teresa said it beautifully: “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”

Have Compassion and Empathy

Servants of God demonstrate Christlike compassion and empathy. As Jesus was moved with compassion for the sick and hurting (Matthew 14:14), so we must open our hearts to understand others’ pain. Compassion moves us to act on their behalf.

Romans 12:15 urges us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” We serve best when we enter into others’ experiences. Henri Nouwen wrote, “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.

Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery.”

Be Obedient and Faithful

As servants, our calling is to obey the Master. We follow Jesus’ example of perfect obedience to God the Father, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:8). Obedience demonstrates our love for God (John 14:15) and allows us to walk in blessing and fullness of life according to His design.

It’s not always easy, but God rewards faithfulness. As we obey His Word, serve our communities, and share the gospel, we can trust that He will work through us. As the Bible reminds us, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10).

The Biblical Foundation for Servanthood

Christ as the Model Servant

Jesus Christ exemplified servanthood throughout his ministry on earth. Though he was God’s son, Christ humbled himself and served those in need – the poor, the sick, the outcast of society (Philippians 2:5-8).

He washed his disciples’ feet, showing them that being a leader means being a servant (John 13:3-15). Jesus declared that he “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). His ultimate act of servanthood was giving his life on the cross for the salvation of humanity.

Christ calls his followers to emulate his servant spirit in all areas of life.

Servant Parables in the Gospels

Jesus told several parables emphasizing the importance of living as servants, not masters. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus highlighted sacrificial service for one’s neighbor (Luke 10:30-37).

The Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Ten Minas teach that believers must be faithful stewards of all God has given them (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27). Additionally, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant showed that those who have been forgiven much should in turn forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35).

Through these stories, Christ communicated servant living in tangible ways.

Serving Others Is Serving God

The Bible is clear that ministering to the needs of others, especially the disadvantaged, is tantamount to serving God himself. Proverbs 19:17 states that “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.”

Jesus teaches that serving “the least of these” brothers and sisters is the same as serving him (Matthew 25:31-46). The early church embodied this principle through material support for widows (Acts 6:1-6), famine relief for fellow believers (Acts 11:27-30), and more.

Scripture exhorts Christians to be generous stewards of time, talents, and treasure for the glory of God and the good of their neighbors (2 Corinthians 9:6-15).

Practical Ways to Serve God Daily

Volunteer and Help Those in Need

There are many opportunities to serve others and share God’s love through volunteering. Consider volunteering at a homeless shelter, food bank, or after-school program. You could also help the elderly by visiting nursing homes, doing yard work, or delivering meals.

Tutoring children, caring for the sick, or providing disaster relief are other great ways to get involved. As the Bible says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Use Your Spiritual Gifts and Talents

God has given each of us unique gifts and talents to build up the church. Make the most of what God has given you by serving at your local church. You may have gifts in teaching, music, administration, hospitality, or helping those in need.

Offer your time and skills to assist with children’s ministry, lead a small group, sing on the worship team, or help with event planning. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Be a Good Steward of Your Resources

Serving God includes being a wise steward of the resources He has given you, including your time, talents, and finances. Look for ways to manage your money responsibly through budgeting, eliminating debt, and generous giving. Consider tithing to your church as well as supporting Christian charities.

Volunteering your time and abilities is also a valuable offering to God. The Bible teaches, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Share Your Faith and Make Disciples

One of the greatest acts of service is sharing the gospel with others and making disciples for Christ. You can serve God daily by developing relationships with non-believers and looking for opportunities to share your story and God’s love. Invite friends to church or a small group study.

Mentor a new believer in the faith. Support missionaries who are actively spreading the good news around the world. As Jesus instructed his followers, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Conclusion

Serving God starts with cultivating a heart of humility, obedience, and love. Studying Christ’s model of servanthood in the Bible will strengthen your spiritual foundation. Then, you can live out your faith through practical acts of service daily.

As you choose to consistently put God and others above yourself, you’ll experience the profound joy and fulfillment of being His hands and feet in the world.