BENEFITS OF SERVING IN THE HOME
Scripture Reading--Acts 20:35
A family that focuses on serving each other experiences two special blessings. Both are crucial to a meaningful home. First, service brings joy to a family. The greatest joy we receive is found in serving. This joy is infectious.
In Acts 20:35, Paul focused on those who were weak--even laboring to help provide for their needs. He was not a taker, but a giver. We find the greatest joy not in receiving but in giving. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" ( John 13:17 ).
Conversely, selfishness brings misery and unhappiness to a family. The atmosphere in our home will be transformed when each person is eager to serve others.
When we were on vacation, my son, Jake, bought me a key chain with his own money; the key chain with the word Dad. His act of service brought joy to my heart and to his. The greatest joy always goes to the giver, not to the receiver. Someone once said, "Receivers eat well, but givers sleep well."
A second blessing service brings to a family is the reduction of conflicts and argumentation. The Bible records conflicts Jesus' disciples experienced because of their desire to be served rather than to serve ( Mark 10:35-41; Luke 22:21-24 ).
When we scheme to get first place, the best, and the most, the home becomes a place of competition and rivalry. When it doesn't matter which part of the pie we get, there is no conflict or argument; the source of the argument has been removed. One of God's ways to remove conflict in the home is to foster a spirit of servanthood in the heart of each family member.
It's hard to believe that those involved in a divorce suit were once married! Usually those involved in a divorce have regressed from a desire to serve the other person to expecting the other person to meet his or her needs. It has been said, "If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, she won't turn out to be a nag."
DISCUSSION: How can we serve one another in our homes?
--Rick Johnson--
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