Service Culture

I read an article in the Birmingham Weekly a few weeks ago that really struck me, and I just found the page I'd clipped as I was wading through the deep piles of stuff on my desk. While the article is about other things, one paragraph near the end is worth noting for the on-the-money comments about real service in our culture.

"That's where we've relegated service in our culture. We've made it something for the young to do instead of getting drunk ... on a beach in Mexico," writes the author. "But if you've reached that threshold tax bracket, don't life a finger unless it's tax deductible."

What are we thinking? While I'm certainly for good works during spring break, I also certainly agree that service isn't about what you get (tax breaks), but what you give! Philippians 2:3-4 indicates that the gain of others is to be above our own! Matthew 6:3 shows that we shouldn't even think about what possible benefits will come to us because of our service. It is our duty as bond servants to Christ (II Corinthians 4:5) to serve others in this world (Galatians 6:10).