John F. Kennedy said in his presidential acceptance speech on January 20, 1961, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” American history is replete with examples of men and women who did just this. The American Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale personified this statement when he said prior to his execution at the hands of the British, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” This attitude of selflessness is a main reason why these men are respected so long after their deaths.
How wonderful it would be if Christians adopted the same attitude toward the church as John Kennedy and Nathan Hale did toward America. Many in the church look for a congregation based on what that congregation can give them. Whether it is programs, activities, a great youth group, a dynamic preacher, etc., many base their choice on what they will “get” out of being a part of a particular congregation. Yet, the Bible tells us to adopt a different approach. The core of Christianity is being a servant, not in being served. Jesus said in Matthew 23:11, “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” Christianity is based on what we can give, not on what we get. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in Luke 21:1-4, where the widow gave all she had in the temple treasury. When Christians look for a place to worship, they need to look for a place where they can best serve God and his church, instead of a place that will serve them. Instead of letting others work hard for the betterment of this congregation, let each one of us search for ways in which we, as individuals, can help our church grow.
By Will Hanstein
