We have all heard the phrase “giving back to your community” but less often do we hear about giving back to the church. Your church provides you with on-going spiritual support – through sermons, projects, music, fairs, even day care or community service. Your minister, pastor or priest preaches the Bible, speaking the Scripture over your life. But in order to fulfill God’s plan for your life, there needs to be a balance between being served by your church and serving your church.
God wants us to be involved with the world around us: involved with helping others, using our talents to share Him with others, and reaching out whenever possible. Your church often runs by volunteers and volunteering your time is one of the best ways to give back. Time is a precious commodity and giving it freely is one way to honor God.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. ̶ Galatians 6:10 KJV
As you drink in the Word of God and receive help from what the Bible teaches you, keep in mind that we are to turn around, reach out and help others. God’s lessons are give and take. We take in what we need from Scripture, learn from what God has to say and then give it back to others.
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ̶ 1 Peter 4:10 KJV
There are a number of ways to do this:
Singing in the choir not only gives glory to God, it blesses others as well. Most churches have choirs that require singers. But even if you were not blessed with a beautiful singing voice, there are many other ways to help your church. Ushers are typically needed to help people to their seats before mass. This is yet another way to serve God, man and your church. Other avenues to consider are volunteering in the day care center, assisting in office duties, parking cars, managing bake sales, running food pantries or sorting donated goods – it all depends on your church and what its needs are.
When we reach out our hands to lift others up, we open the door for blessings from God, because it is not for man that we do these things, it is for God that we serve others.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ̶ Colossians 3:23-24 KJV
What better way to show the goodness of the Lord to others than by helping them in their time of need, in whatever capacity is deemed appropriate. Helping does not need to be a big thing; often it is the small gestures that mean the most. Serving your church can also be done through outreach programs: going out into the community to lend a hand. This may come in the form of building houses, cleaning up parks or giving out food to the hungry. Churches often run programs assisting the elderly in receiving meals on a daily basis.
As we bend down to help one another, we grow in the eyes of the Lord. We learn to walk in His Word when we reach out and freely give of ourselves. Church is not just about receiving, it is also about giving. When we find that balance of give and take, we grow spiritually, become stronger and dig our spiritual roots deeper. God put us on this earth to help others, and it is through helping others that ultimately we help ourselves.