Service and Sacrifice

I’ve been reading a lot lately. I used to be one of those readers that could only handle one book at a time, but at some point in the past year, I became the kind of reader with a stack of books piled high on my nightstand, each one with a bookmark in a different spot.

Recently, as I was reading several very different books, God brought two very similar truths home to my heart.

The first truth was that there can never be love without sacrifice.

Whatever we love, we will at some point be called upon to make some sacrifice for. A true, godly love wants the best for its beloved, no matter what it costs by way of personal sacrifice.

Jesus is of course the best example of this. He said,

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

And then He proved it, by laying down His life for us.  

Throughout the past few weeks, God has been pointing this out as I have had opportunity to show love for my family and friends by quiet little sacrifices, nothing big or extravagant, just little bits of time here or extra effort there… lots of little things that I could tell God was calling me to do as acts of love to specific people.

As I began to settle into this truth and look at the little inconveniences or difficulties that come with serving others, the Holy Spirit pointed out another truth, which dovetailed nicely into the first.

It was the truth that, since there is no love without sacrifice, that which I offer to God should cost me something.

This is summed up best by David’s example. In 2 Samuel 24:24, David insists on paying for the land on which he wished to build an altar to God, though its owner wanted to give it to him as a gift. David refused to offer to God that which cost him nothing.

The commentary I was reading (on the book of Malachi) defined sacrilege as giving to God that which has no value to us, because it shows that we think God is not worth anything better. (Ouch!)

That got me to thinking…how much of what I offer to God actually costs me anything? I don’t necessarily mean just in material things, although that is one area in which sacrifice could be made. But there is something to offer to God in every area of life.

Of course, I give my tithe and offerings to God, but if I’m not careful, it becomes just a matter of habit, something I don’t even really think about. Then, though it technically costs me materially, it doesn’t cost any time, effort, or conscious giving up of something for and to God.

As a church musician, I offer music to God all the time, but I have to stop once in a while and ask myself: have I actually invested the time or effort into it to make it worth offering to God most high?

As a Christian school teacher, I live a life of service. My work is ministry, and my ministry is my life. Whether it’s ministering to my students or to my church, service is just a part of who I am and what I do. –And I would never say that’s wrong. In fact, we are told to do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)

But service doesn’t necessarily equal sacrifice.

Service can actually get to be pretty self-centered. When an unexpected call to service interferes with my plans, even plans for other service, I tend to struggle to keep a good attitude about the interruptions. I want my work to be done the way I planned it, and yet, those interruptions are typically the most impactful ministry opportunities I get.

So what is it that turns service into sacrifice?

It’s very simple, but not at all easy. The thing that transforms service into sacrifice is surrender.

When I choose to take that interruption to my plans or that service opportunity I don’t enjoy and offer it to the Lord as a sacrifice to Him, it is easier to serve with a loving heart. When I surrender my plans, my desires, and my idea of how I want to serve, the focus of my service shifts from what I am doing to what Christ has done for me. I think this is what Ephesians and Colossians are talking about when they use the phrase as to the Lord.

“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:7)

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23)

My service is not just something I do: it has a purpose. By serving others sacrificially, I am serving God by offering to Him the sacrifice of my will in surrender to His own.