“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing,” (Psalm 100:2).

God called every of his child to service. John Hagee said: “The measure of a man’s greatness is not the number of servants he has, but the number of people he serves.” Life does not celebrate you or remember you by what you took out of it, but by what you gave; therefore, the beauty of life is not in collecting, but in giving. No man is truly blessed who is not a blessing to others. In Genesis 12:2: God said to Abraham: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

If your blessings, gifts, or talents have no generational impact and input you are wretched, poor and miserable. In the heart of human existence is service. In every sphere of human religiosity and ideology is “service.”

In Hinduism, ‘seva’ is the concept of service to God and/or humanity, without the expectation of anything in return. According to Hindu scriptures, seva is seen as the highest form of dharma (righteousness).

A Muslim said: “All the teachings of Islam are based on two basic principles — worship of God and service of mankind.”

The word, “Omotenashi” in Japan describes satisfying others’ need without being asked to do so.

Whitney Hopler, a communication manager said: “Serving others helps those who give as well as those who receive. Service empowers people to put their talents into action for good purposes, bringing them fulfillment as they meet others’ needs. It has proven that volunteering to serve others benefits both mental and physical well-being.”

Over time several people have this to say about service: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve”– Martin Luther King, Jr. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Without service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.” – Dorothy Height.

“Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Being of service to others is what brings true happiness.” – Marie Osmond
Mother Teresa would say: “Give your hands to serve, and your hearts to love.”

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” – Albert Schweitzer

“Service doesn’t have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful and make a difference.” – Cheryl Esplin

What Is Service?
It means doing service, to serve, to wait upon, and do non-material duties in support of others or a deity. In the Old Testament; ‘Sharath’ means primarily “to attend” as a servant or worshipper, and to contribute to or render service, wait on, and thence service; occurs only three times (Exodus 35:19; 39:1, 41 the King James Version) and in the American Standard Revised Version is rendered, “for ministering.”

`abhodhah, from `abhadh, which is the general word, meaning “to work” and so “to serve,” “to till,” also “to enslave.” The noun means “bondage,” “labour,” “ministering,” “service,” “tillage,” “work,” “use.” The word is used in describing work in the fields (Exodus 1:14, et al.), work in the tabernacle (Exodus 27:19, et al.), sanctuary service (Numbers 7:9), service of Yahweh (Numbers 8:11), Levitical or priestly service (Numbers 8:22), kingly service (1 Chronicles 26:30), among others. Reference is made to instruments, wood vessels, cattle, herbs, Shekels for the service in the house of Yahweh. There are others, but we will limit ourselves with these two.

Being available to serve and doing service is not enough; your service must reflect joy and tenderness. The word ‘Gladness’ according to Cambridge Dictionary means the quality of being glad (pleased and happy).

Service is an act of giving and we are to do service without compulsion and grumbling.
Apostle Paul said: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14–15)

This is possible by giving our ‘whole’ to God. Paul in Galatians 2:20 said: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. When our whole being is wholly given to God it enables us to serve with joy and not necessarily ‘happiness.’ Joy is divine and witnessed through fulfillment and satisfaction, doing something because we love doing it, while happiness comes because of benefit and entitlements. Nehemiah said: “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength,” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Benefit Of Service
• We discover ourselves; our weaknesses and our strength in serving.
• We contribute to the furtherance of the growth of people, community and to the advancement of God’s kingdom.
• We connect with others of like mind and gain the opportunity to develop and grow.
• Service avails you shield (Psalm 91:1-2).
• It opens doors to your provision (Mathew 6:33; Psalm 37:25).
• Service in Christ helps you plant your feet in the steps of the master.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf profoundly said: “to follow Christ is to learn from His character. As spirit children of our heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike attributes into our life and character. The Saviour invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. To follow Him is to apply correct principles and then witness for ourselves the blessings that follow.”
• We find fulfillment in service.
• It enhances growth and maturity.
• It is rewarding.
• It helps your focus; takes it away from yourself to helping others and the community.

Mother Teresa said: “Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service. Try to give unconditionally whatever a person needs in the moment. The point is to do something, however, small, and show you care through your actions by giving your time … We are all God’s children so it is important to share His gifts. Do not worry about why problems exist in the world – just respond to people’s needs … We feel what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but that ocean would be less without that drop.

There are many benefits in kingdom service. See God’s word in Exodus 23:25: “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water, and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”

One of the most rewarding things you can do is to be of service to others. It not only helps others, but it also helps you. We urge you to pray about where God wants you to serve and get plugged in. Remember, “…. it is more blessed to give than to receive” – Acts 20:35. As you give your time, and service, God’s blessings will envelope you and your household in Jesus’ name.

How To Render Great Rewarding Service
• Be yourself.
• Wear a great smiling face.
• Your grooming should be decent and charming.
• Listen more.
• Specialise in your duty; don’t try to do other people’s duty at the expense of yours.
• Stick to your posting.
• Communicate distinctively.
• Be flexible and adaptable.
• Enjoy doing your service.
• Don’t neglect anything or anyone.

Spiritual Qualities Required Of A Good Godly Service Provider
The fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 is a solid guideline for a servant. This is not about perfection, but a heartfelt motive and desire to live a life of a spirit-filled believer.

• Love – In I Corinthians 13:13, the apostle Paul says that love is the greatest of all things. If you choose to genuinely love the people you serve, God will bless your actions.

• Joy – Take God seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Lighten up and enjoy the moment. Your spirit will be contagious to others. If you are cold, aloof, and don’t smile you will discourage others around you.

• Peace – You can add peace, calm, and order to what might otherwise be an overwhelming and hectic experience.

• Patience – This is a virtue that helps anyone to be great while rendering services. People are different and react differently to different situations, but you must learn to be patience in approach and response.

• Kindness – This is the attitude that makes you approachable as a person. Going the extra mile can make all the difference in the world! Be inventive. Think of all the ways you could show kindness to someone as they come to worship.

• Goodness – Goodness is contagious. Everyone love people to be good to them. The inner quality of goodness is a gift that results from the Holy Spirit’s power working within a believer.

• Faithfulness – Faithfulness as a Christian helps your faithfulness in all services you do. Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord and not as unto men. God rewards our faithfulness and every group grows in the hand of faithful men. Unfaithfulness is the ruin of any group. Be faithful with time, finance, and responsibility. Intentionally, be trust worthy. Faithfulness matters to God.

• Gentleness – Greatness is not in the flexing of positional muscles. A mature leader never throws around his or her authority. Humility helps you to put others first, no matter how much pressure may be present at the moment.

• Self-Control – Your ability to control other begins with controlling self. It is impossible to control others if we cannot control ourselves. In calm moments self-control is easy, it’s under the pressure of hectic moments and last minute changes that your grace and self-control is judged.

Ushering As A Form Of Service In The Bible

“Leadership is service, not position.” – Tim Fargo

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” – Howard Zinn

Ushers in the tabernacle and temple were called doorkeepers. The Psalmist understood the importance of ushers when he said: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

One of the purposes of doorkeepers was to receive offerings from the people. The Bible says in II Kings Chapter 22: “Go up to the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.”

Jeremiah refers to one doorkeeper as a “man of God.” He said in Chapter 35: “And I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, a man of God, the keeper of the door.”

Ecclesiastes talks about the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble. In Ezekiel’s version of the temple he saw space reserved for priests, musicians and ushers.

In the New Testament, Temple ushers were given unusual authority as uniformed guards. In Acts the “captain of the temple” is referred to in connection with arrests and general handling of crowds. It was these ushers who carried out the orders of the high priests to persecute the apostles.

The disciples acted as ushers on many occasions. They directed people who came to hear Jesus speak or be touched by His healing hands. On one occasion Jesus gave a sharp warning to the disciples who tried to keep children away from Him. On another occasion, Jesus told the disciples to organise a large group of over 5,000. Jesus supplied and blessed the loaves and fishes, but the disciples served the hungry multitude as ushers.

The character of the first deacons was clearly spelled out in Acts 6. They were men of good or honest report, full of the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom, and full of faith. Stephen, the first Christian martyr was a good example.

The Value Of Team Work In Service
Life lived in isolation is life lived partially fulfilled and in regret. There is a popular saying: “United will stand, divided will fall.” No man is an Island of knowledge or wisdom; individually, we can achieve little, together we can achieve more. In the Lord’s house every man has a little or great duty to perform, a mission to fulfill and task to accomplish; nobody is truly ‘too big’ or ‘too small’ to do service.

The Church:
The church is the body of Christ purchased by His blood and left on earth to militate against God’s kingdom variance and shifts. The faith is like a relay race of which competitors are in teams; the runners hands the batten from one runner to another until it gets to that one person that will get it to the finishing line. The failure of one of the runners becomes the failure of all the runners.

It is God’s wish that men are united in speech and in purpose. God only frowns at our disobedience and rebellion, especially when the essence of our unity is geared towards violation of His will and purpose (Gen. 11:1-5), which will attract His wrath. In the plain of Shinar man’s language was confused and in the upper room of prayer and consecration man’s confused language was spiritually expunged (Acts 2).

• Ven. Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)