What would you pay for the “right” to serve?

Some church goers don’t even want to serve … let alone pay for it?

Can you imagine extracting a “cost” from the few who do wish to serve?

But why would anyone “pay” for the right to serve?

Seems counter intuitive, doesn’t it.

A few years ago, when our adult children had their second child and needed a night out, they called us to see if we could babysit the grandkids. We said sure! We’d be glad to. Our daughter said that she would pay us, at which point I interrupted her and said that I would give her $20 to watch the kids. She stammered and said “no I will pay you”. To which I interrupted again and said OK my final offer is $50 to watch the kids. She was confused, so I explained that I knew they didn’t have much money to even have a meal and a movie, and we sure do like to spend time with the precious grandchildren, so I figured we would pay for the “privilege” of serving, watching the grandkids. She finally understood and the deal was done. I’m certain that we got the better end of the deal.

It had occurred to me that Jesus had done that in spades for me. On the cross, the cross I sent Him to, He paid the ultimate price for the “right” to serve me … forever. His Father was well pleased and took the deal. I was the over the top beneficiary. Utterly undeserved grace was bestowed on me … the sinner.

How could I not begin to emulate His example of Godly love on the “neighbors” He’s sent my way?

What would you pay for the “right” to serve?

Have you ever looked up how many references there are in the bible using the key word “servant”?

Job 1:8 – Notice the title God gives job:

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”

Mat 12:18 – Notice the title God gives Jesus:

BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

Mat 23:11 – Notice Jesus’ thinking on who will be the greatest in the Kingdom:

But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

Rev 19:10 – Notice the attitude of an angel so radiant that he illuminated the whole earth:

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God.

I wonder what that remarkable angel went through in order to gain the title of “servant”? I long to ask him in person soon.