Serve Your Way Up

     It is an oxymoron that we actually advance in the kingdom by serving. I have to be honest that I have always struggled in this area because of the seeming contradictions I have found in scripture.  We are supposed to make of ourselves of no reputation while at the same time we are to be seekers of our purpose and are to expand our gifts.  I have found the way to bring together these two opposite approaches is to merge them into one.  We should always have the attitude of helping others even while we are fulfilling our purpose.  We can actually serve our way to the top because in the kingdom the bottom is the top.

     Let me use myself as an example.  If you follow my Facebook Fan Page ‘Foundation Publications’ or sign up for my e-newsletter at my blog page www.foundationmin.org then I send you a free copy of my book ‘Building Your Spiritual House’.  I spent hours and hours writing (ask my wife), correcting and printing what was my first book.  Why would I give it away for free?  It is simple because I want to serve you and help you succeed in your faith. I have one passion and that is to see disciples made.  I am successful when you mature in your faith and if my first book is an asset to you then you are more than likely going to want to buy some of my other books.  You may even want to actually buy a hard copy of my free book and make disciples of others in small groups, a discipleship class or Bible School. I advance my purpose by serving you free material.

     I love this Mexican food restaurant in Brownwood, TX.  If you go eat on Sunday’s they have a buffet.  It is good food, but throughout the meal servers will walk around the restaurant handing out freshly grilled steaks, shrimp and chicken. The serving attitude that goes above and beyond what you are looking for is what makes you want to come back. The good food you pay for is what you expect, but when you are served beyond what you expect then that venture is sure to expand.

     A good church will excel at giving out more than it takes in.  Have you ever been to a church where you feel like their attitude is that you are there to serve them?  I have been in plenty and it is repulsive, which eventually brings decrease not expansion.  People know when you truly care about them or if you are just out to get something from them.  If you want to be successful in the long-term then serve others and it will lead to your expansion whether it is a business, ministry, friendship etc.  Serving faithfully will:

• Open people’s hearts to your purpose.
• Helps to advance your purpose.
• Pushes you to excel.

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