Make Serving Others a Healthy Habit in Your Home
Fulfilling Our Duty: Service, Stewardship and Outreach
As the entrusted keepers of all of God’s Creation including His earth, His creatures, and most importantly His people, it is our duty to sow the seeds of stewardship for the next generation.
Teaching empathy and compassion for one’s fellow human is a life lesson that goes beyond anything gleaned from a classroom or textbook.
Over the next several posts, we will examine Ten Barriers that Block Christians from Serving. Join us as we explore some of the attitudes, experiences, beliefs, and fears that hinder Christians from fulfilling God’s call on our lives.
Family (of Origin) Matters
The families we grew up in, otherwise known as our families of origin, shape who we become. These families, whether healthy or troublesome, influence our attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs not only about the world around us but also about ourselves.
From the proper way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to how to correctly fold a towel to how to treat one another or even how to manage finances, all these experiences molded our view of the world, our sense of personal responsibility, and our decision-making process.
If our parents were loving and generous, we were more likely to follow the example modeled for us. The reverse is also true.
Our approach to worship and faith is no different.
My Family Influences
My late mama was generous almost to a fault. If Mama had a dollar, she’d give ninety-nine cents to someone she felt had a greater need. If she didn’t have a dollar, she’d open her door and welcome you to a meal at her table.
My late daddy was a giant in stature but gentle in disposition. Born of humble beginnings, he valued education, personal responsibility, and self-reliance.
While their outward expressions of philanthropy differed, my parents were in accord with their love of the Lord. They served in their own ways but with equal commitment.
While I like to think my parents did a pretty good job of laying the foundation for philanthropy, I freely admit that my own efforts have ebbed and flowed throughout my life. (I am sure theirs did, too).
Strength In the Struggle
I know I am not alone in this struggle.
Over the course of my life, my own service record has been fickle.
However, I will say this, one major life event brought this issue to the forefront of my awareness without my realizing it – becoming a parent.
Nothing will make you take a long, hard look in the mirror or make you acutely aware of your actions and habits faster than assuming responsibility for another tiny life.
It is sobering.
No, it’s convicting.
While my service record is still not quite where I think it ought to be, it is improving.
Always learning, always growing.
Holding Myself Accountable
For the Sunday mornings when I desperately want to sleep in and tell myself I can attend church virtually (which I still do on non-service days), I am reminded of my commitment. The commitment I made with my child to be an active member of the Serve Team in our church.
Yet, when I really think about it, my commitment goes much deeper. While it is responsible for me to be accountable to my fellow members in the Body of Christ, in truth, I am beholden to a much higher authority. My Creator.
Our children are not ours. They are on loan to us from God.
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine
Ezekiel 18:4
As parents, we are responsible for their upbringing. Our heavenly father has entrusted us with their proper care and instruction.
But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
I Timothy 5:8
God will hold us accountable for what we teach our children.
Nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Coming Up
Join us for our next blog post in the It’s YOUR Serve series where we address caretaker confusion.
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Blessings,
Kimberly
IOH Mom
This website is not a professional counseling website and nothing here should be construed as professional counseling advice. Although Kimberly Bennett, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is not your counselor, and no counselor-client relationship is established unless she has signed an agreement with you. All information provided through this website is for informational and educational purposes only. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement. Thanks for visiting!
