Why Serve God?
November 26th, 2007As I mentioned in a previous post, RVL tells several powerful stories that are useful to our studies. One of these stories involves an ancient Rabbi who was powerful in his prayers. In fact, he was so powerful that people came from miles to ask him to intercede for them.
On one occasion, during a Hebrew feast time, a poor woman approached the Rabbi as he was on the way to synagogue. She asked him to pray for her as she needed money to practice hospitality for the feast. The Rabbi prayed and went on to the synagogue service.
When the service was over, the Rabbi met the woman in the town squarer. She was holding a bag of money and talking to a man. The man had offered her money if whe would tell him where to find the Rabbi. Her prayer was answered.
The man said to the Rabbi, “You probably do not remember me. You prayed for me a few years ago and I was healed of a terrible disease. Now I have come to ask for your prayers again. My wife and I want to have children and so far we have not been able. Please pray that we may have children.”
The Rabbi replied to the man, “In the spring you will have a child. I promise that God will grant you this request. Go in peace.”
As the man went happily on his way, a voice boomed from heaven. God said to the Rabbi, “It was not my will that the man and his wife have children. However, since you promised them, it will be so. But, you will lose your place in the world to come.”
The old Rabbi was stunned. He stopped and thought for a moment. Suddenly, tears began streaming down his face and he began to dance.
The onlookers were surprised at his happiness and questioned him. He said, “For all of these years I have served the Lord in order to receive something from him. Now I can just serve him for who he is.”
Over the years we have criticized the “health and wealth” gospel and its advocates. We have accused them of trying to manipulate God into giving them something for their service. Think for just a moment of why many mainline Christians serve God. Is it not to get to “go to heaven”? What is the difference between trying to manipulate God for health and wealth or for heaven? Either way, the motive is the same – “I serve God to get something for me.” The truth is, God deserves our worship and service just because of who he is, not what we can get.
If you read the book of Job some things become clear. One is we do not always know what our trials are about. God never tells Job what is going on. Another is that God is God and deserves our respect and service even if we do not get anything for it. The “icing on the cake,” however, is that we do receive blessings from him when we serve selflessly from the heart. He is a generous and loving God. Serve him for who he is. Honor him by your life – no strings attached.
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
