Craig Clouston

Giving Our All

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble.
1 Corinthians 10:31, 32

“How much longer are we gonna be here?” Jensen hated physical labor and wasn't hiding the fact he didn't enjoy being here. He’d been subjecting everyone to a steady monologue about “getting roped into this project.”
“I don’t enjoy comin’ to Hicksville doin’ work for somebody I don’t know, let alone doin’ it for free!”
He was deriding his church’s Resurrection! outreach program; they repaired homes in underprivileged neighborhoods.
Simon had listened to all the complaining he could take. “What’s your problem? This is a community service to show Christ’s love. If you didn't want to do it, why’d you sign up?” He was concerned that if Jensen continued complaining, the homeowner might hear them and take offense. “You may not get it, Jensen, but we enjoy doing this. We figure we’re on God’s clock, and it’s His choice to reward us. But that’s not why we do it.”
“So why do you?” Jensen asked with a true sense of sincerity.
“Because Jesus says we should help those less fortunate.” Simon put his hand on Jensen’s shoulder. “Look, man, this may not be your idea of working for the kingdom. If not, then find out what lights you up for Jesus and do it. But for today, could you just try to see the good in what we’re doing and commit yourself to the work?”
“I never thought about it like that,” Jensen responded. “Yeah, I can do that.” And with that, he went to work with a new perspective of why he was there.

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Giving our all means serving without restraint. When we serve our fellowman, it is a service to God. And our attitude in regard to service speaks loud and clear.
Kingdom work is not meant to bring us glory. If we complain when we serve, even silently, then maybe we should examine our motives. Because if we serve with a chip on our shoulder, the world will know; and we will build a wall where a bridge is meant to be.

Prayer

“I sometimes fall short when it comes to serving without complaint, Lord. Help me build bridges instead of walls. In Jesus’ Name, amen. “