Contrast Self-Righteous Service with True Service
Topic : -I see on the chapel speaker calendar that Richard Foster is scheduled. He is one of my favorite writers and in his volume entitled Celebration of Discipline, he has a chapter entitled “The Discipline of Service.” Let me share his thoughts as he contrasts self-righteous service with true service.
Self-righteous service comes through human effort.
True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside.
Self-righteous service is impressed with the “big deal.”
True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service.
Self-righteous service requires external rewards.
True service rests contented in hiddenness.
Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results.
True service is free of the need to calculate results.
Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve.
True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.
Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims.
True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.
Self-righteous service is temporary.
True service is a life-style.
Self-righteous service is without sensitivity. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive.
True service can withhold the service as freely as perform it.
Self-righteous service fractures community.
True service, on the other hand, builds community.
