Serving with Love: Embracing Christ's Call to Generosity

In the midst of a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, the church is called to be a beacon of hope, light, and love. Our mission is to bring more of God’s kingdom to earth, not just through words, but through tangible acts of generosity, service, and love. This is the heart behind our Be Rich initiative, which is rooted in Paul’s command to Timothy: to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. Generosity and compassion were not cultural virtues in the ancient world, but Jesus calls us to a radically different way of living—one that steps into the needs of others, regardless of whether they can repay us.

Serving goes beyond simply helping; it means giving of ourselves, especially our time, to those who cannot or will not return the favor. When we serve, we give away pieces of our lives, and that is a profound act of love. Jesus modeled this for us, not only in his public ministry but in the way he lived every day—working, building relationships, and ultimately laying down his life for us. He calls us to do the same: to move toward others, to get close enough to understand their needs, and to serve them with humility and mercy.

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 reminds us that it’s easy to keep our distance and offer simple solutions from afar. But Jesus challenges us to get involved, to “give them something to eat,” and to step into the messiness of real lives. Serving is often inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it is one of the primary ways God shapes our worldview, stretches our hearts, and helps us see others as he does. It threatens our comfort zones, our assumptions, and even our theology, but it also draws us closer to Christ.

Serving is not just a duty; it is a living commentary on the gospel. When we serve, we practice mercy, just as Jesus did in the story of the Good Samaritan. We cross boundaries, break down barriers, and extend grace to those who may be very different from us. This is what it means to follow Jesus: to give our lives away in his name, to move close to others, and to point them to the hope we have in him. As we step into opportunities to serve—whether through our Be Rich partners, within our church, or in our community—may we do so with the heart and mindset of Christ, who made himself nothing to serve us all.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Church’s Role in Uncertain Times In times of crisis and uncertainty, the church is called to be a steadfast presence—offering hope, light, and a tangible expression of God’s love. Our mission is not diminished by the world’s chaos; rather, it becomes even more vital as people search for meaning and answers. We are called to bring more of God’s kingdom to earth by actively engaging in our communities and pointing people to Jesus. [23:30]
• 2. Serving Means Giving Our Lives, Not Just Our Resources True service goes beyond financial generosity; it requires us to give our time, energy, and presence to others. When we serve, we are giving away pieces of our lives, stepping into the lived experiences of others, and allowing ourselves to be changed in the process. This kind of service is costly, but it is the way of Jesus, who gave himself fully for us. [30:55]
• 3. Proximity Changes Our Perspective The further we are from a problem, the simpler the solution appears. Jesus calls us to move closer—to get involved in the lives of others—so we can truly understand their needs and offer meaningful help. Serving breaks down our assumptions and compels us to see people as God sees them, challenging our comfort and deepening our compassion. [32:55]
• 4. Serving as a Living Commentary on Scripture Serving others is not just an act of obedience; it is a way to understand and live out the teachings of Jesus more deeply. When we serve, we gain real-life context for commands like “love your neighbor as yourself,” and we discover the depth and challenge of Jesus’ words. Service becomes a living commentary, helping us interpret and embody the gospel in our daily lives. [41:50]
• 5. The Mindset of Christ: Humility and Mercy Jesus did not keep his distance from humanity; he made himself nothing, taking on the nature of a servant and humbling himself even to death on a cross. We are called to adopt this same mindset—moving toward others, practicing mercy, and serving without expectation of return. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ and participate in his mission to redeem and restore the world. [43:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - The Church’s Role in a Chaotic World
• [03:45] - The Be Rich Initiative: Give, Serve, Love
• [07:20] - The Biblical Command to Be Rich in Good Deeds
• [10:15] - The Countercultural Call to Generosity
• [13:30] - Moving from Giving to Serving
• [16:50] - Serving Without Expectation of Return
• [20:05] - The Cost of Serving: Time and Presence
• [23:30] - Jesus’ Example: Getting Close to People
• [27:00] - The Feeding of the 5,000: A Call to Action
• [32:55] - The Danger of Distance and Simple Solutions
• [36:40] - Personal Stories of Serving and Transformation
• [41:50] - Serving as a Living Commentary on the Gospel
• [43:07] - The Mindset of Christ: Humility and Service
• [45:01] - The Good Samaritan: Mercy in Action
• [47:45] - Practical Opportunities to Serve
• [51:13] - Serving Within and Beyond the Church
• [53:33] - Becoming More Like Jesus Through Service
• [54:47] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Ultimate Service
• [55:28] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV) — > Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Matthew 14:15-16 (NIV) — > As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
> Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) — > In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
> Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
> rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
> And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Timothy 6:18, what specific actions does Paul command believers to take?
2. In the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:15-16), what solution did the disciples suggest, and how did Jesus respond? [30:55]
3. How does Philippians 2:5-8 describe the attitude and actions of Jesus toward others?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of serving people who cannot return the favor? [23:30]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes being “rich in good deeds” and not just in generosity with money? How does this challenge our usual approach to helping others? [23:30]
2. What does Jesus’ command, “You give them something to eat,” reveal about his expectations for his followers’ involvement in meeting needs? [30:55]
3. The sermon mentions that serving is often inconvenient and uncomfortable. Why might God use these moments to shape our worldview and deepen our compassion? [32:55]
4. Philippians 2:5-8 calls us to have the same mindset as Christ. What does it look like, practically, to “make ourselves nothing” and serve others with humility? [43:07]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Serving goes deeper than just helping; it means giving of ourselves, especially our time, to those who cannot or will not return the favor.” Who in your life right now fits that description, and what is one way you could serve them this week? [23:30]
2. Jesus told his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” Is there a situation or need you’ve noticed but kept at a distance, thinking someone else would handle it? What would it look like for you to “move closer” and get involved? [30:55]
3. The further we are from a problem, the simpler the solution appears. Can you think of a time when getting closer to someone’s situation changed your perspective or assumptions? How did that experience affect you? [32:55]
4. The sermon described serving as a “living commentary” on the gospel. How has serving others helped you understand or live out Jesus’ teachings in a new way? [41:50]
5. Philippians 2 says Jesus “made himself nothing” to serve us. What is one comfort, convenience, or preference you might need to set aside in order to serve someone else more like Jesus? [43:07]
6. The Good Samaritan crossed boundaries to show mercy. Are there any “boundaries” (social, cultural, personal) that you feel God is nudging you to cross in order to serve someone? What’s holding you back? [45:01]
7. The sermon mentioned practical opportunities to serve through church partners and in the community. What is one step you can take this month to serve—either through a church ministry, a Be Rich partner, or somewhere else God is leading you? [47:45]