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Are You Serving Christ or Self?
This isn’t a question we can answer once and then forget about. As we go through the struggles of life, our focus and motivations can change. If we’re not careful, we can slip from serving Christ to serving ourselves. Asking ourselves this question often can help us keep our eyes on Christ.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” —Colossians 3:23–24
So how can we tell when our service has shifted from being about Christ to being about ourselves? Maybe we just need to stop and take a look at why we’re serving in the first place. Here are a few questions to consider:
1. Who Are You Trying to Please?
It is possible to be doing good things—even Christian things—and still be self-centered. We may genuinely want to honor Christ but at the same time seek approval and appreciation for our service. Sometimes we don’t recognize our motives until something doesn’t go the way we expected. Maybe our efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated. Our reaction in those moments can reveal more about our motivation than we realize.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be appreciated. But when receiving the approval of others becomes part of our motivation for serving, we need to examine our hearts.
The Apostle Paul had this to say:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” —Galatians 1:10
Who are you really trying to please?
2. Who Gets the Credit?
It feels good when someone notices something we’ve done well. There is nothing wrong with accepting a compliment or being encouraged by the praise of others. The danger comes when we begin seeking the glory for ourselves instead of remembering that everything we have—our abilities, time, resources, and opportunities—come from God.
When we lose sight of that, it can become easy to focus on what we did rather than how God worked through us.
Remember what Paul instructed the Corinthians:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31
Giving God the glory doesn’t mean we can’t feel good about something we’ve accomplished. It means remembering that we don’t serve to make a name for ourselves. We serve to honor Him.
When something goes well, who gets the credit—us or God?
3. Are You Serving Where God Leads You—or Where You prefer?
Most of us have things we enjoy doing and things we would rather leave to someone else. The same can be true when it comes to serving God. We often have our own ideas about where we fit, what we’re good at, and how God can best use us.
But serving God isn’t just about choosing what we enjoy or where we feel most comfortable.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” —Romans 12:6–8
God has equipped each of us differently. Part of serving Christ is faithfully using what He has given us when opportunities arise. Sometimes that means serving in a way we hadn’t expected or stepping outside our comfort zone. We need to let His purposes, rather than our preferences, guide how we serve.
When you use your gifts to serve God, are you willing to follow where He leads, even when it’s not what you would choose?
4. Is Your Service Drawing You Closer to Christ?
Serving Christ is a good thing. But even good things can get in the way of our relationship with Him if we’re not careful. We can become so busy doing things for Christ that we neglect spending time with Him.
We see this in the familiar story of Mary and Martha. When Jesus came to their home, Martha was busy preparing and serving while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him. Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong by serving. But she became so distracted by everything that needed to be done that she lost sight of the One she was doing it for.
Jesus told Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42).
Jesus wasn’t telling Martha that serving was wrong. He was reminding her that being with Him had to come first. Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen, and Jesus called that “better.”
It’s easy for us to do the same thing. Church responsibilities, ministry, helping others, and serving our families are all good things. But being busy serving Christ isn’t the same as being close to Christ.
Jesus reminds us:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5
Our service was never meant to take the place of our relationship with Christ—It should flow out of that relationship.
In the midst of serving, are you making time to sit at Jesus’ feet and just be with Him?
5. What Does Christ-Centered Service Look Like?
If we want to know what Christ-centered service looks like, we need to look at the example Jesus gave us. Jesus didn’t serve others for recognition or to draw attention to Himself. He loved people, cared about their needs, and did what His Father asked Him to do.
Jesus said:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45
Paul tells us to have that same attitude:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 2:3–5
Jesus had every right to be served, yet He chose to serve others and give His life for us. His example is perfect, but we’re not expected to serve perfectly. We are called to follow His example in the ways God has given us the opportunity to serve.
We see a picture of this in Epaphroditus. Paul called him “my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier,” and said he was “your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.” Epaphroditus had become seriously ill while serving alongside Paul, yet his concern was for the Philippians. Paul wrote that he was distressed because the Philippians had heard he was sick and were worried about him (Philippians 2:25–26).
Epaphroditus gives us a picture of what Christ-centered service can look like in an ordinary person’s life. He served faithfully, cared about others, and was willing to sacrifice his own comfort for the work of Christ.
When you serve, are you following Christ’s example by putting others before yourself, even when no one notices?
Conclusion
Serving Christ is a privilege, but we need to make sure our service remains centered on Him. Our motives can easily shift, even when we’re doing good things. Taking time to examine our hearts helps us remember why we serve in the first place.
When Christ is at the center, our service becomes less about us and more about Him.