Why Do I Serve? - 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (Bible Journal)

"[4] For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT)."

This verse is a good reminder of how I should approach my attitude when it comes to service to others. Case in point, if I am serving someone in a simple way (offering to hold the door for someone that is carrying a package into a shipping store while I happen to be out walking during my work break), or volunteering to serve on a day off where I would rather lounge around and game, what is my motive? Am I helping/serving for the dopamine hit of a compliment or praise? Or am I doing it because I want my actions to point people towards Jesus and the selfless ways that He served others? Being appreciated is always nice of course, and I don't think it is wrong to enjoy the benefits of this. But serving others for the primary purpose of potential praise or being thanked personally takes away from what I believe God wants us to do - which is to be good to others in order reflect His own love for His children through our actions.

Lord, thank You for the reminder to remember who I am truly serving and seeking to honor when offering assistance to others - You. Please let my actions reflect Your glory, not mine. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.