Serve

Our Savior performed the ultimate act of service when He gave His life on a cross so that humanity might be saved.  Many are celebrating a season called Lent, leading up to the commemoration of Christ's death and resurrection.  Through that new life He brings to us, He empowers us to engage in a life of service.  In Mark 10 (ESV), we can read these words:
42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ”

Because we represent Christ, members of His body should be diligent to serve other people in His name.  We are called to not be "weary of doing good."   And, I am reminded how throughout the years, the Church has led the way in doing good, in the name of the only One who is truly good.

A new Gallup survey shows the degree to which Americans in general have been involved in charitable giving and charitable work.  A survey summary states:

Majorities of Americans continue to support charitable causes, with 76% reporting that they gave money to a religious or other nonprofit organization in the past year and 63% saying they volunteered their time to such an organization.

Since 2021, in the height of the COVID pandemic, according to the summary, "Financial contributions have eased slightly, registering five percentage points lower than in 2021, but volunteering is seven points higher now."

When you specify religious organizations, you see an even greater divergence in the two categories of giving and volunteering; Gallup says: "The 41% of Americans saying in 2025 that they donated to a religious organization is the lowest to date, down 21 points from the initial measurement in 2001, including three points since 2021. At the same time, volunteering for a religious organization has been less variable, and it has ticked up four points to 39% in the latest poll, approaching its pre-pandemic level."  

But, over two-thirds of Americans have donated to non-religious organizations and over half have volunteered for such organizations; in fact, a big takeaway from the study seems to be this, in the words of the summary: "Americans’ charitable engagement continues to shift away from religious organizations and toward secular ones, mirroring long-term declines in religious affiliation and participation."

But, across the board, giving has declined, while volunteering is up.

What can we make of this?  Well, the good news is that almost two-thirds of U.S. adults are involved in volunteer work and just over three-quarters are involved in charitable giving. While the survey results do not reflect the religious commitment of the respondents, I would say that the Church ideally should be involved in demonstrating the love of Christ through service and giving of their resources.  

We are devoted to a Savior who calls us to serve Him by serving other people.  We are committed to a cause bigger than ourselves.  And, we can look to the Lord to open doors and to show us opportunities through which we can glorify God by demonstrating His love. We can take our eyes off ourselves, put them on Jesus, and allow Him to give us sensitivity to the world around us, to humble ourselves and serve.