A new homeless shelter bought a large facility downtown. It took some renovation but, with a little elbow grease, this building would be just perfect for serving the homeless population in town. It had large bathrooms, complete with showers and changing areas. The kitchen was industrial size, with enough oven and stovetop space to feed an army. Two hallways were adorned with rooms that were perfectly sized for beds. All these amenities made this building a dream location, so it was no surprise when people from around town gathered on opening day to get the help they so desperately longed for. With all this anticipation, imagine their surprise when no one was allowed inside. No one! See, after months of work and a three-million-dollar capital campaign, this shelter wouldn’t be housing any homeless people. These amenities would serve the investors – and only the investors.
As you might have guessed, the above story is fictional. Think about it: Can you actually imagine something more broken than a homeless shelter that doesn’t serve homeless people? After all, that’s the whole point! A homeless shelter exists to serve the homeless, not the investors who built it.
An ingrown church that neglects to serve its neighbors is even more absurd than a homeless shelter that doesn’t serve homeless people. Yet it’s not so hard to imagine Christians that horde their time, energy, and money only to serve themselves. May it never be! Like a homeless shelter exists to serve others, so Grace Community Church exists to serve our neighbors.
In Philippians 2:3-4, the Apostle Paul writes:
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
God’s Word reminds us, “It’s not all about me. It’s about others.” Paul challenges us to think of others as more significant than ourselves because when we do, we model Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t come with selfish ambition. He came with selfless ambition, giving his life away on a cross for us. My prayer for us is that we would be known as a people who give ourselves away for others, just as Jesus gave himself away for us. May God make us a church that doesn’t exist for ourselves but exists for the flourishing of others.
Christian, do you see your life as God’s gift to others? Do you consider your co-worker more significant than yourself? Are there practical ways you look to the interests of your spouse or roommate? How can you, as one loved and served by Jesus, exist for others?