The Heart of A Servant



Before we can be effective in service to mankind where lives are changed, we must have “The Heart of a Servant.” This emphasizes the need for knowing the true meaning, attributes, and quality of servant-hood. The heart of a God-like servant will come with demonstrations of service from the heart - instead of lip service, and looking for acknowledgement from others about the free work we are offering to others.

True leaders and workers in any capacity is the embodiment of servanthood. The greatest leader of all time is Jesus Christ. His mission was to come, serve and die for the salvation of the whole world. Servanthood is an attitude exemplified by Christ. 

“ Philippians 2: 5 – 7 states “ 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: It is stated in Bible.Org “Servanthood is the state, condition, or quality of one who lives as a servant.”

Also, a servant is one who is under submission to another, and desires and seek to meet the needs of others; A devoted and helpful follower or supporter, A tireless servant of God.

So, to be servants when everything inside of us and everything around us tells us to look out for number one, we must first, admit that the call to servanthood is too big for us to meet and secondly, we must rely completely on Christ and His ability to complete the work He has started in us.

In one of our Thanksgiving Outreaches in the Community where we were feeding, clothing and giving out a host of other services to over 1000 participates, I had the opportunity to witness first- hand who were truly servant hearted, and who were spotlight grabbers.

Even though we had about 25 – 30 people on the food serving line, we had other areas of service where between 80 – 120 volunteers were needed to fill the vacancies. As I approached some of the other volunteers standing around who had been trained (which was a requirement), I mentioned to them about some of the other areas of service that needed fill-ins, and about 10 of these people told me that only wanted to be on the serving line for food, and they would not serve any place else.

Because this event was annually, we had no problem filling spots. There were many other volunteers standing around waiting for their shift time to serve, and they didn’t care where, as long as they would have an opportunity to help someone. This incident shed great light about the hearts of these volunteers. Even though they had the training to serve and learn about having the heart of a servant, it has to come from the heart to be effective, and to give God glory.

Some Characteristics of a Servant’s Heart –

◊ Empathy – the ability to understand, be aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experience the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another, but may not necessarily share them.
◊ Sympathy – is when you share the feelings or interests of another.
◊ Encourages
◊ Does not look for recognition.
◊ Does not discriminate with certain classes of people.
◊ Caring for one another
◊ Identifying the needs of people in communities, churches, etc., and fulfilling them with the wisdom of God at all times.
◊ Willingness to serve with an uncomplaining spirit. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:3 - 4
◊ Faithful – Commitment - to what God has called you to do. “He who is faithful in a little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a little thing is also dishonest in much.