Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. – 1 Corinthians 10:24 (KJV)

Most people would agree that the truly great people of this world are remembered not for what they took out of life but for what they gave. How do you acquire a servant’s heart or help others develop a servant’s heart? I believe the first step is to become sensitive to the needs of other people and then take the initiative to set the whole thing in motion.

The China Inland Mission used the dinner table to train people in servanthood. They had a rule that when the members of the mission gathered for the evening meal, no one was allowed to ask to have any food passed to them. Everyone learned to be alert to the needs of others and to watch for the empty plate.

Think for a moment of the words of Jesus, “I lay down my life for the sheep… No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:15,18). Jesus came into the world to meet the needs of others and exercised the initiative to meet those needs.

Friend, do you think your dinner table could become a training ground to develop the Christlike attitude of a servant’s heart in your own life, and in the lives of your family? Remember what Christ told His disciples, “For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest” (Luke 9:48). The same is true for His disciples today.

Prayer

Lord, help me to put others’ needs above my own. Amen.

To Ponder

How is your family’s dinner table different from or similar to the one practiced at the China Inland Mission?

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