Indeed service is a form of worship. That within itself suggests that offering adoration to the Father involves more than simply conducting praise activities in the assembly. It also suggests that we must not become self-absorbed in our own problems. When we reach out to others, we bring honor and glory to God. That's what the language of 1 John 3:17 says in language that's so plain you can't miss it.

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

But there's more than honoring that's taking place when we serve.

GOD'S PURPOSES ARE FULFILLED

In verse 8, the apostle said to the Corinthians

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

In his wisdom, God has seen fit to provide our needs. He may not provide our wants, but He will provide our needs, but God's instruments for the provision of needs are often his people. God's purpose is being fulfilled when Christians are supplying the needs of one another.

SERVING PRECIPITATES GRATITUDE

Not only do we fulfill God's purposes when we perform acts of service, but he says that such service overflows in "many expressions of thanks to God." Jesus made the same point in a slightly different way in Matthew 5:16,

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Sometimes our idea of evangelism is confined to the words that we speak. Those words are important. Back in the second chapter, Paul said in verse 17 "that we speak before God with sincerity." In 9:12, he says that if we want our voice heard, then we must combine our speaking with works of service.

Several years ago, I met a very nice lady, who became very friendly toward us. She was a lonely person and wanted to be around people, so when I proposed the idea of a Bible study, she bought into the idea very quickly. We really didn't have much trouble getting her to agree on certain concepts, such as baptism for the remission of sins, yet she declined the opportunity to obey the Lord in baptism. We wondered why she was so hesitant.

She explained. Many years before, her house was destroyed in a fire. A nearby church came to her rescue. They helped her family recover from the loss of their possessions. She was so grateful for their compassion that she was fiercely loyal to that church. It so happened that the helping church did not teach the importance of immersion. Their example of compassion had a stronger influence on her thinking than our words of persuasion.

SERVING PROVES SINCERITY

In verse 13, Paul said they proved themselves by their service. Almost every day we are exposed to people in the media, telemarketers, business associates and friends who attempt to persuade us to accept ideas they are promoting. It's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. How are we to know who is telling the truth and who is selling us a bill of goods? Can you tell the difference between the con artists and the proclaimers of truth?

Paul told the Corinthians that service confirms sincerity. When we live Christ-centered lives, we will emulate the one who "went about doing good." In Matthew 7:16-17, Jesus said,

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

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