The gift of service: serving as Jesus served

In almost every church there is someone who arrives early to open up and set out the chairs, and leaves after sweeping. Someone who knows who is ill, who is short of groceries this week, who has no way of getting home. No one introduces them from the front. They do not preach, they do not sing, they are hardly ever in the photographs. And if one day they were missing, everything would stop. The Bible has a name for what that person does, and puts it in the list of God’s gifts:

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Romans 12:6-8

“Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering.” In this article we will look at what the gift of service is, how Jesus lived it, who exercised it in the Bible, how to recognise it in yourself, what its dangers are—for it has them—and how to grow in it. At the end you will find a prayer for those who serve.

What the gift of service is

The Greek word Paul uses is diakonia, from which “deacon” comes. Originally it meant something very concrete: waiting at table, attending to those who eat. The gift of service is the capacity given by the Holy Spirit to see other people’s practical needs and meet them with joy and perseverance, so that others are freed and sustained to do their own part. In another list Paul simply calls it “helps” (1 Corinthians 12:28).

Peter divides all the gifts into two great groups, those of speech and those of service, and sets both at the same level:

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:10-11

Notice the phrase: “as of the ability which God giveth.” Serving is not simply a matter of good will or of being obliging. It is a grace: the strength to do it comes from God, and the aim is that God be glorified.

All called to serve; some with a special gift

A distinction is needed. Every Christian is called to serve: “by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). No one can say “that is not my gift” to avoid carrying a chair or visiting a sick person. But to some the Spirit gives a particular grace: service is their natural way of loving. Where others see a meeting, they see that there is no water. Where others hear a sermon, they notice that the old lady at the back has no one to take her home. They do it without being asked, and they do it well.

Jesus, the one who serves

The model for this gift is not an apostle or a deacon: it is the Lord himself.

“But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:43-45

In the kingdom of God greatness is measured upside down. Jesus said it of himself at the last supper: “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). And that same night he showed it with a gesture the disciples never forgot: “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:4-5). It was the job of the lowest slave in the house. It was done by the one who had all things in his hands. And he washed Judas’ feet too.

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
John 13:14-15

Paul goes deeper still: the Son of God “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). Service is not a second-class gift: it is the form God took when he came to us. Whoever serves resembles him.

Faces of service in the Bible

The seven in Jerusalem. When the widows of one group were being neglected in the daily distribution, the apostles asked for seven men to be chosen, “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” to look after the tables (Acts 6:3). It is revealing: to share out food fairly one had to be full of the Spirit. There are no “unspiritual” tasks. And the result was that “the word of God increased.”

Phebe, “a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea,” of whom Paul says: “she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Romans 16:1-2).

Tabitha, called Dorcas, “full of good works and almsdeeds.” When she died, the widows stood round Peter “weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:39). Her preaching was sewn by hand.

The women of Galilee: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna “and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance” (Luke 8:3). They sustained Jesus’ ministry, and they were the ones who did not flee from the cross.

Peter’s mother-in-law: Jesus took her by the hand, the fever left her, “and she ministered unto them” (Mark 1:31). The first thing she did with her health was serve.

Onesiphorus, of whom Paul, in prison, writes with feeling: “he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me” (2 Timothy 1:16-17).

Epaphroditus, sent to look after Paul, who “for the work of Christ… was nigh unto death” (Philippians 2:30). The household of Stephanas, who “addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15). And long before, Aaron and Hur, who did not fight the battle or work the miracle: they simply held up Moses’ weary arms “until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:12). Without them, Israel would have lost.

How to recognise this gift in yourself

You see what is needed before others do, and you find it hard to stay seated.
You would rather do something useful than talk about it.
You enjoy tasks that others avoid, and they do not seem small to you.
You need no microphone and no mention of your name.
You feel closest to God with your hands busy helping someone.
You are steady: you carry on when the first enthusiasm has passed.
Others relax when you are there, because they know things will get done.

If you recognise yourself here, do not say any longer “I have no gift.” You have one that the New Testament names alongside prophecy and teaching.

“Ye have done it unto me”

What is the worth of serving a plate of food, washing clothes, going with someone to a medical appointment? Jesus answered with the most solemn sentence imaginable, the one the King will speak on the last day:

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Matthew 25:40

“I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink… I was sick, and ye visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). Every act of service touches Christ himself. That is why nothing is lost: “whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name… he shall not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41). And “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name” (Hebrews 6:10). People forget; God does not.

The dangers for those who serve

Every gift has its temptation, and it is as well to know the ones that belong to this.

Serving without sitting at his feet.

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:40-42

Jesus did not rebuke Martha for serving; he loved that house precisely because they welcomed him. He pointed to something else: “thou art careful and troubled about many things.” Martha’s service had filled up with anxiety and complaint. Whoever serves much and prays little ends up serving empty. First the feet of Jesus; then the kitchen.

Resentment. “Dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?” When we start counting what we do and what others do not, the gift is turning sour.

Wanting to be seen. “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matthew 6:3). “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men… for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Not knowing how to say no. People with this gift tend to carry everything until they break. Jesus, seeing his own without time even to eat, said to them: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). Resting is also obedience.

Letting yourself be used. Serving out of love is not the same as being exploited. Paul joins service to freedom: “ye have been called unto liberty… by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). If in a household, a workplace or a church someone takes advantage of your willingness, humiliates you or makes demands without caring for you, that is not the kingdom of God. Setting a limit is not ceasing to serve.

The pride of the humble. Feeling superior because “I actually do things, unlike others.” Jesus taught us to say, after doing everything: “we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). Read How to pray to God when we are tired.

The service no one sees

Much service happens where there is no audience: the son or daughter caring for a sick parent, the woman who cooks for a lonely neighbour, the person who cleans the church toilets, the one who keeps the accounts honestly. Paul says that in the body “those members… which seem to be more feeble, are necessary” (1 Corinthians 12:22). And the Bible has a curious memory for these things: in the list of those who rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem it was noted, for ever, that the men of Tekoa worked, “but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord” (Nehemiah 3:5). God keeps count of who bends their back and who does not. “Thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee” (Matthew 6:4).

How to grow in this gift

Sit at his feet first. Begin the day with the Lord before you begin with the tasks.
Start at home. The first place of service is your own family.
Be faithful in small things. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10).
Serve in God’s strength, not your own. Ask for it each day: “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Serve with joy. “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). If the joy has gone, stop and ask why.
Work with others and teach others. Do not do everything yourself; make room for those who want to learn.
Rest without guilt.
Do it for the Lord. Then you will not depend on being thanked.

And do not confine the gift to the walls of the church building. Your workplace, your neighbourhood, the hospital, your children’s school are places of service. Read Love of neighbour and Spiritual gifts: discover and use your gift to serve God.

A word to the churches

Paul asks something explicit for Epaphroditus: “hold such in reputation” (Philippians 2:29). A healthy church knows by name those who serve, thanks them, looks after them so that they do not burn out, and does not reserve the word “ministry” for those who stand on a platform. Several Christian traditions have recognised this service as a settled ministry, the diaconate: ordained in the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches; elected by the congregation in many evangelical churches. “They that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith” (1 Timothy 3:13).

Frequently asked questions

Is service a lesser gift? No. It stands in the same list as prophecy and teaching, and it is the form the Son of God took. In the kingdom, the greatest is the one who serves (Matthew 23:11).

How do I know whether it is my gift or whether I simply cannot say no? The gift produces joy and peace, even with tiredness. The inability to refuse produces anxiety, resentment and fear of displeasing. If it is the second, you need to learn limits, not take on more tasks.

Can I have this gift together with others? Yes. Stephen and Philip were chosen to serve tables and also preached with power.

Does serving outside the church count? It counts. Jesus spoke of the hungry, the sick, the prisoner and the stranger, without asking which congregation they belonged to.

I am ill or elderly and can no longer do much. What do I do with this gift? Serve with what you have: a phone call, a prayer, a word of encouragement. And let others serve you; that too is grace.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you who had all things in your hands took a towel. You knelt before men who were about to abandon you, and washed their feet. Teach me to serve like that. Thank you for giving me hands, and eyes to see what is lacking. Forgive me when I serve in order to be seen, when I keep count of what I do, when like Martha I complain about those who do not help. I am tired, Lord; you know it. Come, Holy Spirit, and be my strength, because mine runs out. Give me back the joy I had at the beginning. Seat me first at your feet, and then send me to the kitchen, to the hospital, to the home of someone who is alone. Let me see you in every person. And when no one thanks me, remind me that you do not forget. I seek no other reward than to hear you say one day: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen.