The Joy of Service by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1905

The Joy of Service

By I. H. Evans

To serve is the supreme joy of man. The heart tires of inertia. He who sacrifices, who suffers, not for self, but for others, is the embodiment of our highest ideals. Few men ever inscribed their names upon the hearts of their countrymen but by the toils and labors of sacrifice and self-abnegation.

The heroes of earth are the sufferers and toilers who have lived for others in noble thoughts and unselfish deeds. Why are Judson and Paton and Taylor and a host of other names household words wherever the name of Christ is cherished?—Ah! for the labors bestowed and the sufferings endured in behalf of the heathen millions for whom they gave their lives!

Look at Paul the apostle. Was ever a life more completely devoted to others than that of this great apostle to the Gentiles? Not to one but to many nations he journeyed, and erected the banner of the cross. Read his recital of his sufferings, and answer if he had not a full list? Yet when he had reached the goal of life, and looked backward over his years of sacrifice and suffering, he cried, “I have fought a good fight!”

We can not conceive of supreme happiness when to receive and not to impart is the sole end of existence. The miser who hoards his treasure, grudgingly parting with the smallest sum, is a long way from true happiness. Even the temporary satisfaction that may be his as he sees his wealth increasing is only a momentary, passing sensation, and not to be compared with the infinitely higher joy of those who spend and are spent for others.

Our conception of God would be degraded should we think that his sole existence was passive indifference, sitting idly on his throne, receiving the adoration of his angels and the worship of his saints while doing nothing for the beings of his creation. We know him to be the mighty Jehovah, whose love for his creatures has exhausted the resources of infinite wisdom in providing for their eternal happiness. In the gift of his only begotten Son, in the bestowal of the Holy Spirit, and in the making of his angels “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation,” God has shown his matchless love in service for man.

When Christ came

as a servant among men. In youth and manhood he toiled as other men; and when he had entered upon his ministry, none could be more abundant in labors for others than he. Whether in the wilderness, with the multitude, or at the well of Samaria, he was the same toiling Jesus. No prayer for healing was unheeded by the lowly Nazarene. In the press and throng of the multitude and on the lonely highway he felt the touch of faith and heard the cry for help. In his presence the burning fires of fever were quenched, the blind received their sight, the leper was cleansed. His voice awakened the dead, and sent the guilty sinner to her home in peace.

O, he seemed the burden-bearer of all the woes and sorrows of the children of men! Never ceasing to toil for others, nor staying his hand in ministering to their needs, he approaches the wrestling in the garden, still in service for the children of men. Behold him at the last supper serving his disciples. See him rise from the table, and, girding himself as a servant, wash their feet. In yon garden see him approach his sleeping disciples, and call them to prayer. Hear that heart-broken petition for his enemies as he hangs upon the cruel cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Listen as, with his dying breath, he speaks to John, “Behold thy mother!” Yea, at the very marriage supper of the Lamb he proposes “to gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”

God calls his people to service. He tells us how we shall serve him; he tells us what will please him in our service. Upon his followers he has laid the responsibility of preaching the gospel of the kingdom. One he calls to a distant field; another is invited to remain at home. But each is to serve the Master in serving his fellow men. One gives his life in personal touch with men, leading them to the “cleansing stream;” another labors by example, and contributes of his earthly store to help support the other. Each may be truly serving God. The widow with her two mites is as truly serving Christ as did Paul at Ephesus or Judson in Burma.

Perhaps some may say: “I’m tired of constantly giving. It is only money, money, all the time. There is no religion in giving continually. I wish I might never hear another call for money as long as I live.” Look here! suppose this instant God should say to you: “Your day of service has ended. There is nothing henceforth that you can do for me. Your gold and silver are of no worth to my cause. Your last opportunity for service is past. I have pleaded for your help through my servants, but you ‘came not to the help of the Lord.’” When there was a crying scarcity of funds in my treasury, you hoarded your means. My pleas for help were offensive to your ears. Now, nevermore is there one thing that you can do for me.” Ah, brother, sister, picture how you would feel if God were so to speak to you to-day! What could you do? It were as well to hear the word of final doom as to be cut off forever from the service of giving! And why?—Because our very salvation is wrapped up in our service to God and man.

No privilege was ever offered man equal to that of service for God. Our truest joy is to do something for others. Our most precious treasure is not that invested in houses and lands, but in the souls of men. O, it is a great, a priceless privilege that we enjoy to-day—the privilege of laying up treasure for eternity! The happiness and soul-peace that service for God gives outweigh all joys that earth can bestow.

“It is in loving, not in being loved, The heart is blest: It is in giving, not in seeking gifts, We find our quest. “If thou art hungry, lacking heavenly bread, Give hope and cheer. If thou art sad, and wouldst be comforted, Stay sorrow’s tear. “Whatever be thy longing or thy need, That do thou give; So shall thy soul be fed, and thou, indeed, Shalt truly live.”

I. H. EVANS.