Three Levels of Serving – Part 3

This is the final week of the series. In the first week we discussed volunteering. While volunteering is important to society and has benefits for the person volunteering, the term is never mentioned in the Bible. The second level, a servant, is a biblical concept. Many people in the Bible, including Jesus, are referred to as servants. While having a servant mindset is consistent with scripture, there is a third level.

If you missed the first two parts, they are on our social media and our web site.

The third level is to function as a son or daughter within the Kingdom. At first this mindset was difficult for me to adopt. It didn’t fit my religious mindset. But, as I studied scripture, I realized that this is the level that God want’s to bring us to. We talk about being adopted and heirs in the Kingdom of God. Well, once we are adopted, we are no longer referred to as a servant. Watch the video and share your thoughts on the subject.

The father with a son or daughter relationship goes much deeper than a servant/master relationship.

Some may consider that presumptuous that we would consider ourselves as sons and daughters. At one time I had this mindset, until a Kingdom mindset was presented to me and I looked at what scripture had to say.

Lets take a look at Romans 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Once we start to function as children & heirs of the Kingdom, we are tending to the family business. For me personally, I know my mindset and level of commitment are far greater when it is a family business versus being an employee (servant) for someone else. Yes, I am committed to both and do my job well, but the commitment goes much deeper when it is family.

Also consider Jesus’ words in Mark 3:33-35
Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.  Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.

Still not convinced, then let’s consider Galatians 4:2-7
The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

From this, we can also see that sons and daughters have a responsibility to develop and mature. Young children have an inheritance, but they don’t manage or control it until they are mature.

We are responsible to conduct Kingdom business as sons, daughters and heirs of the Kingdom.

The terms we are using are just semantics. The real question is about your mindset. I know volunteers that function as sons/daughters. I know servants that are less committed than volunteers.  In your mindset (not your title), what level do you function at?

If this is a new mindset, take time to meditate upon these scriptures and prayerfully ask the Lord how he would have you adopt a higher mindset.

Share your thoughts in the comments. Want to chat privately, you can reach us using the feedback form.

How are you going to serve in the Kingdom this week? Have a great week and God bless,

Bruce