Remix: Student Devotionals

Fruit of the Spirit - Week 3, Day 2

Joy Killer #1: Selfishness (Serve Others)

Why are so few people full of joy? I believe the number one joy killer in life is selfishness. When we make our life about us, what we like, what we want, what we need, that selfish attitude will rob us of joy.

Listen. When the biggest thing in your world is you, you have made yourself very small.

A well-dressed restaurant customer was staring into space. He was sitting alone, looking very down and depressed. The waitress trying to be kind, said, "Is something wrong?" He said, "two months ago, my grandfather died and left me $185,000 in oil wells." The waitress said, "Well, that doesn't sound like something to get upset about."

He said, "Yeah, but last month my Uncle passed away and left me $100,000 in stocks." The waitress said, "So why are you sitting here so unhappy?" He said, "Because this month, so far, nobody's left me a cent!"

A selfish person never has enough. Nothing ever satisfies them for more than a day or two.
Nothing is ever good enough.

The Bible tells us to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Joy is found when we serve other people. Joy is found when you make a difference in someone else's life.

Millard Fuller is the founder of Habitat for Humanity. He was the one who came up with the idea of building houses for the poor in America and all over the world. He was a millionaire at age 29.

He gave his wife everything he thought would make her happy, but he came home one day to read a note that she had left him. He chased her to a hotel in New York City. The two of them stayed up and talked until early the next morning, and they were honest with each other for the first time in many years. She admitted that the things that our world says would bring joy in her life had left her cold. Her heart was dead, and her spirit was burned out, and she needed something more.

The two of them reached out to God. They knelt down by that hotel bed and prayed, and when they got up, they decided to sell everything they had. Millard and Linda Fuller dedicated themselves to serving poor people and working for justice for the oppressed.

The following day was Sunday, and they were so excited about their decision, so they went to a local church and shared with people what they thought God wanted them to do. The people in the church did not share their enthusiasm. As a matter of fact, they tried to talk them out of doing it.
Millard Fuller writes, "These people just didn't understand that we weren't giving up money and the things that money could buy. We were giving up a whole way of life that was just killing us."
And the people who know the Fullers will tell you that they are two of the most joyful people you will ever meet as they work toward making housing available for the poor.

Maybe the reason you're not experiencing joy is that life has become all about you. If you and I want a joyful life, then we must live a life of service to others.

Who could you visit? What ministry could you get involved in? Maybe you could mow the grass for someone else or write an encouraging note or take dessert to someone who is lonely!

Maybe you could take someone out for a cup of coffee and just encourage them!
If you want joy, you won't find it putting yourself first.

Time Out:

1. Who could you visit or help? What ministry could you get involved in? What act of service could you do for someone else?

2. Read Matthew 20:20-28 and answer the following questions.

  • What were the motive for asking Jesus to sit on his right and his left hand?
  • Why do you think the other disciples got mad at James and John?
  • What is the secret to greatness according to Jesus? Verse 26.
  • According to Verse 28, why did Jesus come?
  • How did Jesus serve you?

3. How can you serve someone else today?

If you want to live a joyful life, you have to become a great servant.