With the help of ladies in the church, our youth group held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. The ladies baked cakes for dessert, supplied rolls, applesauce, and cooked in the kitchen, while the youth were charged with serving guests and waiting tables. The dinner not only raised funds for the youth group, it also provided an opportunity for the kids to practice servanthood. They were not simply serving spaghetti, they were serving people. The kids did a great job. they were eager to please the guests and were quick to respond to requests for coffee, rolls, and dessert. The way they pitched in and worked to satisfy others showed maturity and a care and concern for others that many adults would do well to copy.
Those who are great in the world's eyes are served by others. They are honored above others and put on a pedestal to admire. They do not seek to serve, but seek to be served. This is exactly opposite of the Bible's picture of true greatness(Matt. 23:12). In the Bible the ladder of greatness goes down, not up. The greatest example of servanthood is Jesus and whoever wants to be great in the kingdom of God must follow his example (Matt. 20:28; Mk. 10:43-45; Jn. 13:12-15). We are told that we are to make the most of opportunities to serve others, especially those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).
As I saw the ladies step up to the plate (pardon the pun) it was great, and my estimation of them was not diminished, but enhanced. Though the dinner was to benefit the youth, their attitude of service was an inspiration. It may have only been a spaghetti dinner, but it was a chance to see servanthood put into practice.
