A ‘Master at serving.’ Have you ever met one? My mother-in-love undoubtedly bears this title within her community, though she would cringe at my suggesting such (sorry, Mom!). This past week, along with other family members and friends, I had the opportunity to help her in some various capacities after surgery. Contemplating the possibilities has had me thinking about how to serve a master(?!).

No doubt, this phraseology may sound a bit odd – even archaic. But the Bible talks much about serving Christ as well as serving others. It is how we love each other, how we build each other up, and encourage.

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Perhaps it was my singular self-focus as a child, but I didn’t recognize the art of serving others as such until I met Stache’s mom. At the time that I met her, she was the full-time caregiver of her invalid mother.

Being that I grew up across the country from my extended family, I had never seen such extended family devotion before. As physically and emotionally exhausting as caregiving can be, mom made it look astonishingly beautiful. And she impacted my values.

Mom won’t thank me for further listing out her many virtues – no genuine servant would. Refraining from listed proof, I can only ask you to trust me. My assertion of mom as a ‘Master Server’ is both absolute and true.

So how does one serve a master? I confess, when researching a conviction post as this, I am ALWAYS further convicted by the Word than before. Countless references in the Bible teach about serving one another because Christ came to serve us.

Essential Heart Attitudes

A ‘Master at serving’ is exceptionally compassionate and prepared to give of themselves towards genuine needs. Their home is perpetually ready; they watch and wait for opportunities to serve. Serving others is one of their greatest joys in life.

Masters at serving maintain several significant heart postures that enable them to serve well. I’ve listed a few, along with some corresponding verses. But please, don’t stop there. The Bible is full of teaching on this subject.

Gratefulness

I’m not sure how anyone can serve exceptionally without a heart of gratefulness. Can you imagine?

With gratefulness comes an honor-bound service that is aware of all we’ve received in Christ. With gratefulness, we serve others from an indebted appreciation towards Christ and people who have helped us. Gratefulness lends an intimacy, beauty, and purity to our serving that is lacking without it. [John 13:14 ]

Humility

Websters 1828 Dictionary describes humility as ‘Freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth.’

I have to admit that this heart attitude is one of the hardest for me to keep on track. As much as I have a disdain for it in myself and others, personal pride has a way of inadvertently sneaking up on me. I have a keen sense of being taken advantage of or being mistreated.

Serving with humility is free from that wrestle of pride. It simply gives as genuinely needed, from a patient, long-suffering, and gentle heart. This heart attitude offers such freedom! [Philippians 2:3-4]

Love

We chat a lot about love here at GrammieChats. What more can be said of love? It is all-encompassing in terms of a heart attitude towards serving.

To serve without love would be unimaginably empty for both the giver and receiver. Without love, I’m not sure why we’d even try?! But if we know God and love God, we will undoubtedly serve each other with love. [1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:11]

Understanding the heart and spirit necessary for serving is the most significant part of the skill. Although we may heartily agree with WHY Christians should want to stretch themselves in such a way, I nevertheless find myself needing a regular refresher course on the matter.

Yes! But How?

Still, practically speaking, we wonder HOW? The following are a few suggestions, but please, let’s chat about this! What has worked for you and your community? We could all use innovative ideas.

Model:

Have you ever been helped by friends and loved ones? Consider the ways of those who have blessed you. In what ways were you served? What would have been all the more helpful? What was just right? With time, modeling and gleaning from our own experiences is a very natural way to learn how to serve.

Use Your Gifting:

Whether serving from your spiritual gifts or serving through talented skills, use what God has given you to give.

Spiritual gifts are to serve the body of Christ. In other words, spiritual gifts are intended not to identify strengths simply, but to serve other Christians specifically. Knowing your gifts lends focus to your serving. [1 Peter 4:10 ]

Meet Needs:

Using our individual talents, skills, and goods to meet specific needs are all great ways to serve. [Hebrews 13:16, 1 John 3:17-18]

Are you a baker or a home chef? These are some of my favorite and most used skills. This week, when I thought mom was on her way home from the hospital, the first thing I did that morning was to start a loaf of fresh Oatmeal Bread to pair with her previously prepared soup. I knew home-baked bread would be a delight to her and bless others who were coming to visit.

[If you enjoy serving others with entire meals, I have a category of Shared Meals recipes in Grammie’s Cottage Kitchen.]

Are you a (lay-person or professional) Cosmetologist, Massage Therapist, or a Pet Handler? Perhaps you enjoy encouraging friends and family through lovely cards with handwritten words of comfort?

Maybe you are a gardener with fresh flowers to share or a jack-of-all-trades? Whatever skill you have is sure to meet a need and bless those in your sphere of influence. [Hebrews 10:24, Proverbs 3:27]

Serving a master is as easy as knowing yourself and them. With encouragement (some may need more than others), these dearest servant-hearted people will receive your thoughtful gifts of service as they give – with gratefulness, humility, and love.

I hope you are encouraged and now confident to serve as a ‘Master!’ [Hebrews 6:10, Galatians 6:2, Colossians 3:23-24]