Humility and Service

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3, NIV).

Humility and service. These two words are foundational to a strong and healthy Christian community. With them, a community can grow and thrive, and without them, a community will deteriorate. As Paul instructs in Romans 12:3, humility means that we do think more highly of ourselves then we should. And service, in the words of Jesus, is the paradox that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43, NIV). Humility and service are two topics that Dietrich Bonhoeffer presents in his chapter entitled “Service”.

As previously mentioned, service is a foundational aspect of a strong community. But before a person can actively engage in the ministry of service, he or she must exhibit a posture of humility. A spirit of humility begins with the attitude that one should: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV). Embracing a posture of humility will naturally lead one to genuine and authentic service. When one is humble, one can begin the act of genuine service to their brother or sister in the community.

Bonhoeffer presents several ways in which we can serve one another in the Christian community. Bonhoeffer states that three of the greatest ways to serve others is through listening, helping, and supporting each other. The first aspect of serving is listening. One cannot truly serve if one is not willing to engage in the arduous task of listening. It is in listening that we learn to understand each other and it is in listening that we know the best way to serve. Next, in order to authentically serve we need to help those in need. When we overlook the needs of those in the community, we pass over the opportunity to serve. A negative perception of helping others is that only the weak need help. While this is not true, Bonhoeffer directly addressed the Christian communities' approach to the weak. He states: “The elimination of the weak is the death of the community” (72). A true mark of Christian service is how one treats those who are week. The final mark of service is supporting. The ultimate and effective trio to service is listening to the needs, responding with help to those needs, and providing emotional and social support to the needs. Bonhoeffer states that “In suffering and enduring human beings, God maintained community with them” (78). When Christians support and love one another in humble service, it is the work of Christ.

In conclusion, Bonhoeffer states: “Wherever the service of listening, active helpfulness, and bearing with others is being faithfully performed, the ultimate and highest ministry can also be offered, the service of the Word of God” (80). Christian service is incomplete without ultimately leading an individual to the service of teaching and training in the word of God. May we, not neglect these essential tenants of service within our Christian communities, and may we, above all, remember that our service and love towards others start and ends with our love and dedication to Christ.