This is the third in a series of five posts designed to suggest habits that will help us take our Christianity beyond the building to reach the lost.
In Luke 16 Jesus taught a parable about an unrighteous steward. His manner of stewardship was not good. We are told that he was going to be fired for his poor performance (Luke 16:1-2). The steward had only a short time to prepare for life after his demotion. Jesus likens that steward to us in that we have a short time to prepare for eternity (Luke 16:9). We have a limited number of opportunities to be a blessing to others in our life on earth. Christians who seek influence beyond the building will take advantage of those opportunities both for their own sake and the sake of the lost.
Habit 3: Be a Servant. A servant actively pursues opportunities to be a blessing to other people. When you seek out ways to be a blessing to other people you end up finding ways to serve them.
Be a blessing in the life of a total stranger and you will create curiosity about why you care for them. The answer, of course, is because Jesus cares. Be a blessing to a fellow Christian and you will remind them that you love them and that they are not alone in their walk with Christ. You will remind them of the body of Christ who care for their members (1 Cor. 12:25).
If it seems that all opportunities to serve have been filled by others, it’s time to get creative. Think like Lydia from Acts 16:11-15 who created her own opportunity to bless Paul and his companions as they spread the gospel in Philippi. As a new convert she said, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house to stay.” A phrase follows that statement: “And she prevailed upon us.” Lydia would not take no for an answer. She was determined to bless these Christians, and their only option was to be blessed by her. When you see no opportunities to be a blessing, get creative! Have fun with it! Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Find joy in seeking out more creative ways to bless other people; your life will be blessed by the process.
The lost will love a Christian who is a constant blessing to them, and the church will be made more beautiful by the same. Be more effective in service to Christ by being a servant, both within and beyond the building.