1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” As homemakers, we must work with a servant heart, leaving behind selfishness, and loving above all else.
Homemakers, Stop Being Selfish, Be Servants
As we dive into the topic of servitude, we not only have to recognize what we are called to do, we must recognize what we actually do. In our job of homemaking, it is up to us on how we choose to serve. You read that right, we have the choice on when and how we serve others, the attitude we have doing it, and the intention behind our actions. Let’s look at three steps intended to help us break away from our selfishness, and become homemakers with a servant heart.
STEP 1: REFLECTION
The first step in becoming less selfish is reflecting on what you need to do each day, including your responsibilities and must do tasks, and comparing it to what you actually do in a days work. I highly recommend writing down a list, or comparing what you get done to your schedule / routine that you have planned.
Think of your job as a homemaker in your everyday life. Think about all of the things you want and need to do get in the day, then think of the reasons why you don’t. Is your reason selfish? Truly reflect on these reasons and think about:
- Is this a reoccurring reason?
- How much time is wasted that could have been put towards completing my tasks?
- Does this feed into an addiction?
NOTE: These should only include reasons that you can control. If you have a disability, child with a disability, are pregnant, injured, etc. give yourself grace. There is a difference between physically or mentally being unable to finish every task, and just being lazy or distracted.
TRY IT: Write on a sticky note any or all reasons why you don’t get all of your work done. Place this sticky note in an area you are often in, or a place it can be seen. Use this as a reminder throughout your day to work towards completing that task every time you see it.
STEP 2: SCRIPTURAL GUIDANCE & ENCOURAGEMENT
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
2 Timothy 3:2-4
“For people will be self-centered, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, hating what is good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…”
1 Corinthians 10:24
“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
Philippians 2:21
“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
James 3:16
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-6
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
Romans 2:8
“But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”
Psalm 119:36
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
STEP 3: PRAY & WORK FOR A SERVANT HEART
Although praying and working are two separate actions, they come together to form a very powerful movement. No only are you moving forward into a deeper relationship with God, speaking to Him, and calling upon Him for help; you are also moving forward by completing your work.
Often overlooked, prayer is the most powerful action you can take. Placing your trust, worries, fears, struggles, and hardships into God’s hands is the best thing you can do for yourself. Ask the Lord to provide you with strength, energy, wisdom, motivation, drive, and a heart of flesh and not of stone. Prayer is your answer for the action that is needed.
Each day God provides us with new graces, and each day we are given the opportunity to fall on our knees, praise His name, and ask Him for the help and guidance we so desperately need. If we could do it all, and do it well, we wouldn’t need to come to Him. We NEED Him. We cannot complete our work, overcome our selfishness, or have a servant heart without Him.
Servant Heart Encouragement
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
John 12:26
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
Proverbs 11:25
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Colossians 3:12
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…”
Matthew 25:21
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Galatians 1:10
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
1 Peter 4:10
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”
2 Corinthians 4:5
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Dough
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 2 cups flour
- Butter for greasing 7×11 baking dish
- Mix yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and water together.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine olive oil, sugar, salt, and the yeast mixture.
- Add flour, and knead until thoroughly combined.
- Your dough does not need to be smooth. It is okay if it is bumpy, and it should be fairly sticky.
After Dough Has Risen
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Rub additional olive oil lightly on top of the risen dough. Sprinkle with additional rosemary and salt.
- Use your fingers to create “indents” into the bread, gently pushing the dough down.
- Bake dough for 15-18 minutes (17 minutes is what I did).
Related Homemaking Posts
- Create a Christ Centered Well-Managed Home
- The Beatitudes for Homemakers
- 10 Day Intentional Homemaking Challenge
- Christian Homemaking 101
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