Craig Clouston

 Giving Our All

October 30

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 com-

plaining, 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 com-

mit 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. “