WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 01, 2025
TOPIC: VOLUNTEERING FOR THE LORD’S SERVICE
BY T. O. BANSO
“Next was Amasiah son of Zicri, who volunteered for the Lord’s service, with 200,000 troops under his command” (2 Chronicles 17:16 New Living Translation).
In the church, we have people who never volunteer to serve. That means they never willingly offer themselves to serve. They only come to church and enjoy the services (ministry) that other members render to the success of the church meetings or the church itself.
The choir blesses them with powerful songs, and the pastor preaches great messages, which bless them. They use the toilets in the church, which some members keep clean. They never get bothered that they enjoy the services of others in the church without offering any service.
Some people may readily come forward if the church will pay them for the work they should render free! This does not refer to the church staff who should be paid, since there is no other source of income for them. “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:18 New King James Version). 1 Corinthians 9:9 quotes the first part of this scripture, which is from Deuteronomy 25:4.
Some people who are gainfully employed elsewhere still want the church to pay them for what they should do for free. Some refuse to come forward to serve because they expect to be paid for what they should willingly do free of charge.
Believers must volunteer for the Lord’s service in different areas. A monetary reward should not be the motivation. The reward from God cannot be quantified in terms of money if you volunteer for the Lord’s service.
Volunteer for the Lord’s service. Don’t be among those who see the church as a place to make money. Such people exploit the church in their legitimate business transactions with the church or the purchases they make on behalf of the church. They tell lies and inflate the prices of items. They even collude with the outsiders to dupe the church. They do not show they’re true children of God. Such people must repent.
In 2 Chronicles 17:13-19, the Bible talks about Jehoshaphat’s mighty men of valour but says this about one of them: “Next was Amasiah son of Zicri, who volunteered for the Lord’s service, with 200,000 troops under his command” (2 Chronicles 17:16 New Living Translation). Amasiah son of Zicri, volunteered for the LORD’s service. The rest were men of valour like him, but he was singled out as volunteering for the LORD’s service. The Bible does not say why Amasiah is described this way.
Volunteer for the Lord’s service. The New King James Version puts the first part of that scripture thus: “And next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the Lord, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.” In other words, volunteering for the Lord’s service means willingly offering yourself to the Lord. Amasiah son of Zicr (Zichri) volunteered for the LORD’s service and had 200,000 troops under his command.
Offer yourself willingly to the Lord. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). This is not limited to money or material things you give to God. You should also give your time to serve Him willingly and cheerfully. He doesn’t want you to serve Him reluctantly or under compulsion.
In the song Deborah and Barak sang after the LORD had given Israel victory over Jabin king of Canaan and Sisera, his army commander, they said, “When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, bless the Lord!” (Judges 5:2 New King James Version). In verse 9, they said, “My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD!” (New King James Version). The two verses show that the leaders and the people willingly offered themselves or volunteered to fight the LORD’s battle. But the tribes of Reuben, Gilead, Dan, and Asher didn’t offer themselves willingly to fight the LORD’s battle. They didn’t volunteer.
Judges 5:15-16 says, “And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As Issachar, so was Barak sent into the valley under his command; among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart. Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart” (New King James Version).
The tribe of Reuben was accused of “great resolves of heart” and “great searching of heart.” The New Century Version rendered these two phrases as they “thought hard about what they would do.” The New Living Translation uses the phrase “there was great indecision.” What were they thinking hard about or undecided about when other tribes came out to fight? What runs through your mind when others are coming forward, volunteering, to serve the Lord? Quit indecision. Throw yourself into the service of the Lord. This is not about resigning from your paid employment or closing your business, but sacrificing time to accept responsibilities in the kingdom of God.
See what the Bible also says about the tribes of Gilead, Dan, and Asher: “Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, and why did Dan remain on ships? Asher continued at the seashore, and stayed by his inlets” (Judges 5:17 New King James Version). They didn’t volunteer. They stayed in their comfort zone. They continued with their business. They were unconcerned about the war. Are you bothered that others are volunteering for the Lord’s service, but you’re busy with your own life?
Compare the attitude of the tribes that refused to volunteer to the attitude of the tribe of Issachar. The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; they followed Barak into the valley (Judges 5:15). Also, compare these uncooperative tribes with the tribes of Zebulun and Naphthali. “The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields” (verse 18 New International Version). The New King James Version says they “jeopardized their lives.”
Willingly offer yourself to the LORD. Don’t let anyone beg you. Don’t give conditions. Don’t consider earthly benefits. Let money not be your consideration or motivation, but doing the will of God.
Jesus said He must be about His Father’s business or in His Father’s house (Luke 2:49). Don’t neglect Your Father’s business. Don’t be left out of the Master’s service. “‘For your work shall be rewarded’, says the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:16b New King James Version). Jesus Christ will reward every work done because of Him. “‘Listen!’ says Jesus. ‘I am coming soon! I will bring my rewards with me, to give to each one according to what he has done’” (Revelation 22:12 Good News Translation).
There are many areas of service in the kingdom of God. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. The grace you have – your spiritual gifts, skills, talents, and other people, especially your pastor – can guide you in choosing your areas of service. But never forget that soul-winning is for every child of God.
Volunteer yourself for the Lord’s service. Willingly offer yourself to the Lord’s service. Serve Him with joy and gladness of heart.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, forgive me for neglecting kingdom service. I shall no longer forsake my Father’s business or be idle in His house. Holy Spirit, help me to serve the Lord with joy and gladness of heart.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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