What does the Bible say about serving?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers serve God and neighbor gladly, not to earn salvation, but as the grateful fruit of Christ's redeeming grace. Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom, making Him both our Savior and pattern (Mark 10:45). By the Spirit, each Christian receives gifts to use for others, serving in love rather than self-interest (1 Peter 4:10; Galatians 5:13). We are called to be fervent, wholehearted servants, working as for the Lord rather than merely for people (Romans 12:11; Ephesians 6:7). Such labor is never forgotten by God (Hebrews 6:10), and it displays our settled allegiance: we cannot serve both God and wealth (Matthew 6:24).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Mark 10:45 7 votes
For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- 1 Peter 4:10 4 votes
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
- Galatians 5:13 3 votes
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
- Romans 12:11 3 votes
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,
- Ephesians 6:7 2 votes
with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,
- Joshua 24:15 2 votes
If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
- Hebrews 6:10 2 votes
For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.
- Mark 9:35 2 votes
He sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 2 votes
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
- Matthew 6:24 2 votes
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
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