Pastor Lawson Perdue

Serving with joy and finding fulfillment in helping others reflects that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are equipped to serve others with joy. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…” according to Galatians 5:22. Love is the first fruit mentioned, followed by joy. When you have a revelation of God’s love for you, that creates the foundation for the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit to be seen in your life. Your joy doesn’t come from your circumstances, it comes from the Holy Spirit inside you! Many people in the world serve others but lack joy because they serve out of obligation. Joy is evidence that the Holy Spirit is in you. Jesus said in John 15:11, “I have spoken these things to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

The perfect example of serving with joy is found in Jesus helping people who could not help Him. In fact, He found joy in serving the very people who sinned and caused the sin issue that He came to solve through His death and resurrection. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45), and “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). By following Jesus’ example of compassion and selfless serving, you can serve with joy and help others encounter God’s love for them.

What Does the Bible Say About Helping Others?

Top 7 Bible Verses About Helping Others in Need

Here are the top seven verses about helping others in need from the Modern English Version:

• 1 Peter 4:10As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
• Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
• Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share. For with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
• Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you how, working like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
• Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
• Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
• 1 John 3:17 Whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him, how can the love of God remain in him?

What Does the Bible Say About Helping Others Too Much?

There are people who love to serve, but unfortunately, there are also people who take advantage of these helpful people. Some adults crave the attention given to them and like to rely on others to take care of their needs. Helping others too much can remove that person’s responsibilities. The apostle Paul warned about able-bodied people who were idle and received charity from others. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, we read, “For when we were with you, we commanded you that if any will not work, neither shall he eat.”

The Bible also warns that people need to do something useful with their hands to share with others (Ephesians 4:28). By setting healthy boundaries, you help others by creating an opportunity for them to serve and find fulfillment in helping others.Fortunately, you can ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to recognize when you have crossed the line from helping to enabling someone.

We at Charis Christian Center would love you to join us on Sunday mornings at 8:30 am and 10:30 am or Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm. We are a non-denominational church. You’ll find volunteers who show God’s love by serving with joy and helping others.