QT 9/27/2024 Rom 15:1-3, Is it serving or volunteering?

Romans 15:1–3 (ESV) —

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

 

NOTE: The passage does seem to argue (with caveats) that we are to be people-pleasers. The caveat is that the purpose of people-pleasing is to build them up, and that it should be for their good. I would add their spiritual good. People-pleasing so that their life is more comfortable falls outside this definition because it is not good. The historical record of scripture (Israel) is that when life is good, people forget God, but when life has struggles, people turn to God. If my people-pleasing is just to make another person's life more comfortable, then it is destructive and not helpful. We can take burdens from other people's shoulders when they are over-burdened or overwhelmed. There can be "good" spiritually for them in that type of service.

 

Galatians 6:2 (ESV) — Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

The point of these verses -- it is good to do bear another's burden, in fact it is even commanded. But Paul reiterates in Galatians that our motivation needs to be the person's good. In summary, we must always ask a couple of questions:

 

1. How can I serve that will please this person?
2. Will my service be good for the person or merely allow them to continue in a poor path?

 

PONDER:

1. Do I serve or volunteer? Volunteering is done on my terms. Serving is done on the other person's terms.
2. When was the last time I truly served another?

 

PRAYER: Father, we are so selfish that often we don't even realize that our helping out is not really helping but putting another person on our timetable and schedule to make ourselves feel good. Forgive me for my selfishness. Help me to see and understand how I placed boundaries on my serving others. Cleanse me of my sin.