Service with a Smile

“The angels of God serve Him with songs, not with groans; a murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in their ranks.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Have you ever done something for another person, let alone for God, but grudgingly? I know I have… and I’m not proud of it.

I remember a few years ago one of my friends who was confined to a wheelchair needed me to take him to a doctor’s appointment. Unfortunately, the doctor had overbooked and so, his office was packed to the gills. As a result, I realized that I was going to be late for another appointment. More than a little agitated, I sat there and fretted… and fumed… and fretted… and fumed.

It certainly wasn’t my friend’s fault. After all, he had tried his best not to pester me or his other friends with his medical needs, choosing to rotate his transportation and other requests among 3-4 different people so as not to overburden any one person. Still, I wish that my response to the long delay had been less selfish and more caring.

As Charles Spurgeon put it, “That obedience that is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looks at the heart, and if He sees that we serve Him from force, and not because we love Him, He will reject our offering.” Ouch!

The Prince of Preachers still wasn’t done making me feel lower than a snake’s belly…

“Service coupled with cheerfulness is heart-service and therefore true. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. If a man be driven to battle, he is no patriot; but he who marches into the fray with flashing eye and beaming face, singing, “It is sweet for one’s country to die,” proves himself to be sincere in his patriotism.”

Finally, he added the following…

“Let us show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master.”

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:28-31 (BSB)

“…for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President