How do you measure success? Money, achievement, fame? This is not how God measures greatness. God measures it through service. If we want to be like Jesus, we must choose service over status.
KEY VERSE
“If you give even one cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42 NLT
Having the heart of a servant is more important than knowing how to serve. Anyone can serve without having the right heart posture but if we do, we are more likely to be tempted to serve for selfish reasons. God wants us to serve selflessly.
Our heart reveals our maturity and if we do not have a servant’s heart, we are not spiritually mature.
God designed us to serve and place us on the earth for this purpose. Our primary ministry is to serve in the area He shaped for us according to our gifts, experiences and personality. Our secondary ministry is to serve where we’re needed at any given moment.
How do we develop a servant heart? How do real servants act?
THEY MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO SERVE
A real servant doesn’t only step in when it’s convenient to do so. Their desire to help means inconveniencing themselves at times too. Having a servant heart means relinquishing control so God can lead. It means letting interruptions happen without frustration so God can work.
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:4 NIV
Like a soldier we must be flexible with our time so we can serve when the need arises. God is our commander, and we live to obey when He speaks.
A servant is often interrupted but does not let this frustrate them. Instead, they see these interruptions as new opportunities for ministry and gladly serve.
THEY PAY ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
Real servants put the needs of others before their own and are always looking for ways to help.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 NIV
If we have the opportunity to serve, we need to grab it because it is a gift from God to help us grow (Proverbs 3:28). Some opportunities may never happen again, and we don’t want to waste a single opportunity.
THEY DO THEIR BEST WITH WHAT THEY HAVE
A real servant doesn’t procrastinate or make excuses to avoid serving. They just get on with it.
God expects us to do what we can wherever we can with what we have. He doesn’t expect perfection, but He does expect us to serve. Sometimes our best intentions cause us to delay but God prefers our less than perfect action.
THEY DO EVERY TASK WITH EQUAL DEDICATION
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 NIV
The size of the task is irrelevant in God’s eyes. He wants us to approach every task with the same dedication and enthusiasm to serve. Jesus approached every opportunity to serve with equal dedication and considered nothing beneath him. He tells us to follow his example (John 13:15).
We must be willing to do whatever is necessary for service. We may want bigger opportunities, but small ones are equally important. Sometimes the small acts determine bigger opportunities or are great opportunities in disguise.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10 NIV
THEY ARE FAITHFUL TO THEIR MINISTRY
Real servants are reliable. They commit to the task until it is finished. They can be depended upon to keep promises and fulfil their responsibilities. They are trustworthy.
We need to honour our commitments and keep our promises because each one is a test of our faithfulness.
THEY MAINTAIN A LOW PROFILE
A real servant is humble. They don’t call attention to themselves. They don’t seek validation in being seen serving or seek a reward (Galatians 1:10).
Even if they are recognised, they do not allow it to distract them from their work. They serve for the joy of helping others and knowing it pleases God.
There is significance in unseen service, and we should not be discouraged when our actions go unnoticed. Every unseen act is seen by God and He stores up our rewards in Heaven. Our service has more value than recognition and validation but only if our heart is in the right place. To develop a servant heart is something we should all desire, next to knowing God Himself.
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Wholeheartedly Faithul 
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