We are starting a men’s mentoring program at Northside called Radical Mentoring. It is a program designed to take men through a deep spiritual journey and help them move toward becoming better disciples. At a recent meeting for leaders of this ministry, one of the major needs for the ministry was discussed and that is that middle-aged men are facing many new challenges that are causing significant additional stress in their lives. This stress is causing negative trends in mortality statistics, primarily due to suicide but also heart-related and other health issues. So today we are going to flip this stress on its head and look at it from the other direction. More specifically, we’re going to discuss how giving to and serving others has a double-positive effect – you are fulfilling your calling to do so and you are also helping yourself.
We’ll start with today’s verse which is from 2 Corinthians 9:7 and says:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
This verse is referring specifically to giving money and material items to the poor. But for today’s lesson we are going to expand that concept to include every way you can give of yourself. In addition to financial giving, this could also include spending time with people in need, sending a note to let someone know you are thinking about them, or doing a favor for someone without expecting reciprocation.
While these acts will not take away the cause of underlying stress in our own lives, it will redirect our minds and give us a different perspective. And God will bless our giving if our actions are consistent with the verse above – we must be cheerful givers in order to get the biggest blessing.
So what’s the best form of service? That depends on how God has equipped you and where He is calling you to serve. When you pray next, ask God to put people in your path that need your help and to help you identify the areas where He most wants you to serve. He will honor your prayer and give you answers about where to serve as well as how to reduce your own anxiety and stress.
Questions:
- What are some of the biggest causes of stress in your life?
- Do you agree that giving to others can have the double-positive impact of helping them and helping to relieve your own stress?
- Do you have any examples of serving others that gave you an improved perspective or outlook?
- What are some ways you think God may be calling you to serve others? That could include things you are already doing or things you feel like He may be calling you to do?
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