You see it everyday. Volunteers actively serving at church. Whether it’s Wichita or Wellington or Dodge City, it’s the same in every church in Kansas. And throughout the U. S.

Are you active because God has called you to a position? Or are you just hoping to earn brownie points in front of the pastor or congregation? Or maybe even in the eyes of God?

Is your heart pure and holy before Him, fueling your desire to serve?

Perhaps you are in charge of potluck dinners on Sundays. You are good at organizing things and setting everything up. You know how to cook and keep all the vittles hot and ready for those who filter into the dining hall after church.

Do you get upset when another comes in to help, innocently unaware she is treading on your toes? Do you get mad and start judging or criticizing that person for stepping up to the plate and helping out? Or do you humbly step back, allowing that person to help, aware that she may truly have a desire to serve God?

Perhaps you like to sing, so you join the choir. Then, thinking you are all that, you deliberately sing louder than everyone else, hoping the director will take notice of a voice that really isn’t so good. When you are finally allowed to do the solo on Sunday, do you then gloat or brag about it?

Now, folks, it is wonderful that people love being active in their church, volunteering their time to help maintain or clean the church, sing in the choir, or do any number of other things to assist the minister. But do you do it for the attention? Or do you do it because it is a way you can serve God, without thinking it will help to earn your place in heaven?

God does not give out brownie points. He looks at your hearts and motives for doing things. Even if you are a lousy cook or an untalented singer, He still wants to use you. Perhaps not in the way you want to be used, but He wants to use you nevertheless.

Never volunteer at church so you can feel important. Volunteer because there is a need, and because you truly want to serve God in some way, with the gifts He has given you.

All God asks from us is a willing heart.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in Heaven.

“Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:1-2 KJV)

For more information:

http://www.helium.com/knowledge/131310-volunteer-at-your-church

http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/8596.htm

http://www.openbible.info/topics/volunteer_work_

http://www.hurtingchristian.org/PastorsSite/gospels/john13-3-17.htm

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