Serving God – Others or Our Own First?
Now that our nest is empty, I often think I need to do so many “things” to be serving the Lord, but where is my most important place of service? Here are some things I am learning: Affiliate links associated with this post – Read my disclosure here.
~William Burkitt’s Expository Notes
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
From The People’s New Testament Commentary1Ti 5:8 If any provide not for his own. The support of his relatives and servants is referred to. Children and grandchildren must support their aged parents. Any one who does not provide for his own family, whether it be wife and children, or aged parents, has practically denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever, for even unbelievers do these things.
2 Corinthians 12:14 . . . for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
1. My place of serving the greatest is still at home; Yes, the nest is empty, but someone is always “flying back home” and bring their nestful with them. We are now blessed with 21 precious grandchildren.
2. Those around me need my service the most. How many times have I missed this? Sometimes there are little feet right under my big feet who need me to minister to them and show them God’s love, but I forget and think I need to focus somewhere else.
3. Those closest to me need to have the gospel instilled into their hearts and minds. Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Yes, I can go into all the world and preach the gospel, winning others for the Lord, and I should, but if I neglect those right beside me, I may end up losing a precious soul right out of my own family. I can’t think of anything more tragic.
4. My actions tell those closest to me that they are either second to all the ministry I now “need to do” or that they are first in my life and are my main ministry. Often I am so focused on preparing Sunday School and Wednesday night lessons that I end up neglecting what/who is right here beside me and needs my influence the most.
5. I may care for the needs of others in my ministry, whether they be physical or spiritual, but do I care as much for those who have needs right here at home? Am I diligently teaching the Word of God to precious little souls that are very close to me so that they can find the greatest treasure of all? After all this is the only “thing” I can take with me to eternity – my loved ones!
Just look at all these precious souls! I cannot imagine leaving one of them behind. This is where my (our) greatest service belongs.
Affiliate links associated with this post – Read my disclosure here.