I Will Not Serve

This past Sunday in worship, I began a series titled, In His Image. In this series, we are exploring the qualities a Christian should have since we are all made in His image. The first area we covered concerned our attitude. Without a good attitude, we cannot serve God in the way He wants. He wants us to serve out of love, not duty and obligation.

Next Sunday, February 3, we will discuss commitment. For some reason, some of us think we can choose to be a Christian and do what God wants us to do, then bail out whenever we are ready. God, however, has plans for us to be there for the long haul.

We sign on many times and get the title of “Christian” without really ever meaning to truly serve. We just want some kind of “backstage pass” that gets us into heaven. We really don’t want to have to “do” anything here in this world. We just want to know what the minimum responsibility is, so we can meet it.

Perhaps you read the story last week about Ed Hamilton of San Antonio, Texas. He is running for County Treasurer in Kerr County. He is a Republican, challenging the incumbent republican Mindy Williams. He just might win too. His slogan is, “Elect me and I won’t serve”.

He said the job is redundant and costing the county money it doesn't need to spend. The duties should be assigned to another county office, Hamilton said.

"I don't plan to do the job," he said. "I won't accept a paycheck."

Hamilton said if elected, he would hand the duties to someone else and petition state officials for a referendum on a constitutional amendment that would allow any county to eliminate the treasurer position if it chooses.

Mindy Williams, who was appointed last spring to the $46,000-a-year post, said the job shouldn't be eliminated. It provides accountability on the county's spending, a check and balance that is "essential to county government." Hamilton says "check and balance" is "a euphemism for duplication of effort."

I’m not sure who’s right in this, but I do know that Mr. Hamilton’s slogan is much like ours when it comes to serving God. Oh, we don’t really say out loud “God, if you’ll cleanse me from my sins, I promise to never serve you.” However, our actions say it clearly.

When was the last time you stepped up and volunteered to teach a class, lead a Bible study, host a youth or senior fellowship, sing in the choir, or just visit and pray with someone who needed a lift? Have you ever prayed for God to show you more ways to be an effective tool for His plans or do you play left field hoping you can get by without the ball being hit your way?

I challenge everyone reading this to begin praying for God to reveal an area where He wants you to work for Him. Be ready though. When you ask, I assure you, He will answer.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17