The Importance of Serving Others

By Chelsea Crockett

Serving others is one of the biggest underlying themes of the Bible. Throughout the old and new testament, there are so many examples of people laying down their lives for others. In the new testament especially, we can read about all the different ways Jesus served his disciples, his followers, and so many others that he encountered.

The Bible is filled with SO many lessons that teach us how we should act and live. The lessons that teach us selflessness and love for others are the ones we should always take note of. The world could always use a little more love, so why don’t we show God’s love by extending a hand toward others!

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13

God gives us free will to do what we want in life. He doesn’t force us one way or the other, instead he gives us the choice to act selflessly or selfishly… which is sometimes the easier option. When we serve others, it humbles us and reminds us of the bigger picture in life.

There’s a story in the Bible that tells of a time when Jesus humbled himself and served his disciples by washing their feet. John 13:5 says, “After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Then Jesus said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

This story is so important because it shows how even Jesus Christ humbles himself and puts others’ needs before his own. If even Jesus, who is greater than all the earth, can practice selflessness in even the hardest of times, then we should do so, too.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1

Have you ever thought of serving others as a form of worship? God notices when we take our own needs and wants and sacrifice them for others. It’s not always what we want to do, but it’s something that changes our mindsets and our hearts to reflect how Jesus wants us to think toward others… no strings attached, not hoping for something in return.

Consider all of this the next time someone asks you for a simple favor or something even bigger. Think the way God wants us to and extend a hand to the people you normally wouldn’t. A serving heart is a happy heart!

Chelsea is a writer, youtuber, speaker, author of "Your Own Beautiful Book", and Christian on mission to serve and love.