Matt begins his chapter on the Creature as a Servant with an almost “hard-to-believe” story. But also true. David Karnes was an accountant when 9/11 happened. As an ex-Marine (is there such a thing?), he went and got a high-and-tight haircut, put on his fatigues and drove at speeds of 120 mph in order to get to Ground Zero to help. When all others were pulling away from the sight due to danger, he and another Marine began walking to see if there were any they could save. They heard the slight tapping of Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin who had been trapped for nine hours in an elevator shaft. They are alive because an accountant in Connecticut found them.

We live an age of entitlement and sadly, the church is often guilty of that thinking. We have enjoyed the “favor” of society for years and seem to expect it to continue. We have, in many ways, become very selfish. Inward focused. “Let’s build bigger barns.”

Quite frankly, the church was never put here to impress or to live for itself. In this Scripture Jesus is saying His followers are to serve others because Jesus has served us. Not out of guilt. Not out of force. Not because it is the right thing to do. Not because we are a “cause-oriented” church.

We serve because Jesus served us.

The church was never intended to be guilty of navel-gazing. I have to wonder what God thinks about churches which build mega-million dollar  facilities but cringe when asked to help out paying a utility bill. I hate it when we don’t have the finances to help someone, but it also fuels the desire to never take on a huge mortgage. How can we justify that while turning someone away who needs help? We are, quite frankly, facing this very issue. Desperately in need of space for Sunday morning, plans are on the table for an expansion of our current facility. It is not a lot of money given the debt of so many churches, but it is not something I/we want to fall into. It is a fine line to walk: meeting the needs of the church body without putting a hardship on that same body to help others. The leadership will be talking about our approach tonight as we struggle with space issues and also look forward to our 10th Anniversary in October. May I ask you to please say a prayer for us to do what God wants? Thanks.

For what its worth department: I normally post this series on Creature of the Word on Tuesday night and run it through Wednesday night. I am posting it early due to a crazy schedule brought on by a home-going. several meetings, and other things. I will comment when I have a chance-both here and at some of your blogs. Thanks for understanding.

Finally: what are your thoughts? Why do you serve?