“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45 (KJV)

Serving is not about having extra time—it’s about making God a priority.

A question has weighed heavily on my heart recently: Are we neglecting God when we refuse to serve?

Many people would quickly say they do not have time to serve in their church or community. Life is busy. Between work, family responsibilities, personal commitments, and the endless demands of daily life, it can seem impossible to add one more thing to our schedules.

Yet as I thought about this question, my mind immediately went to Jesus.

Jesus, the Son of God, came not to be served but to serve. Throughout His earthly ministry, He healed the sick, fed the hungry, comforted the brokenhearted, taught the crowds, and poured Himself out for others. He did not serve because He had extra time. He served because it was part of His mission. As Jesus Himself said, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

If Jesus made serving a priority, why do so many of us struggle to do the same?

The reality is that we make time for what matters to us. We make time for work, entertainment, hobbies, social media, and countless other activities. Yet when opportunities arise to serve God’s people, many of us suddenly find ourselves with no time to give.

Serving is not simply filling a position within the church. Serving is an expression of our love for God. It is one way we use the gifts, talents, and abilities He has entrusted to us. Every believer has been given something that can be used to build up the body of Christ. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

Some are called to teach. Others are called to encourage. Some serve through hospitality, administration, music, prayer, outreach, or simply being available to help wherever there is a need. No act of service is too small when it is done for the glory of God. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are all members of one body. Each member has a purpose, and each member contributes something valuable. When we choose not to use the gifts God has given us, the body feels the absence. Paul writes, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office… so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).

Perhaps the issue is not that we do not have time to serve. Perhaps the issue is that we have not made serving a priority.

Following Christ means more than attending church on Sunday. It means imitating Him in our daily lives. It means loving others, helping others, and being willing to put the needs of others before our own comfort. It means understanding that our faith was never meant to be passive. James 2:17 says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

Serving does not always require a title, a platform, or recognition. Sometimes it looks like praying with someone who is hurting. Sometimes it means volunteering behind the scenes. Sometimes it means showing up when no one else will. Galatians 5:13 encourages believers, “By love serve one another.”

The question we should ask ourselves is not, “Do I have time to serve?” but rather, “How can I use what God has given me to serve Him and others?”

As believers and followers of Christ, we are called to imitate Him in all we do. When we serve others, we reflect the heart of Jesus. And when we make ourselves available for God’s work, we discover that serving is not a burden—it is a privilege. Jesus taught, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

Maybe today is the day we stop making excuses and start making ourselves available to God. Ecclesiastes 9:10 offers a fitting challenge: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”