A servant's heart, a heart to minister

The last thing about a servant's heart that we need to study is that it's a giving heart. Let's look back at our passage in Nehemiah:

At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. 47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron. (Nehemiah 12:44, 47)

Just recently, we posted about the stewardship of the financial blessings that God has showered upon us. Here in these verses, we see that the people worshiped, they sang, they were so joyful that people knew it for miles, and they gave. They gave happily. They wanted the work of God, of the temple to go forward. They knew the worship at the temple was important, and they were cheerfully giving the offerings that were necessary to support all of the temple workers who lived there. There were priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and singers in the temple. They all needed to be taken care of.
They did this because (as it is translated in another version) they "rejoiced over" the people who served.
They sound like cheerful givers, no? (Grin)
Not like the stingy, spiteful Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life -- he is plotting to destroy the Bailey business of generous and compassionate lending, on his way to controlling the town of Bedford Falls. Not like Ebeneezer Scrooge in the Dickens classic -- he is clawing his way to the top of the financial heap, not caring who he steps on as he ascends.
The people in Nehemiah are walking the walk described in Proverbs:

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper;    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:24-25)

These are people who are warm and generous, with giving hearts. A giving heart is prerequisite for a life of ministry. At the same time that it's important for us to be wise stewards of what God gives us, it's also important for us to be generous. When we see those who are called to serve God on the mission field, we can give to support their work. When we know the local church needs financial support to pursue worthy efforts in the community, we can bless them with what we are able to give. 

Giving also means something as simple as being hospitable.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  (I Peter 4:9)

Giving also means using our spiritual gifts:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (I Peter 4:10)

God is a God of abundance. He has blessed us in the way that we read of in Luke:

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)

It should be the mindset of every believer to be a servant; it should be our desire to minister to others. 
But how?
In this strange time of "social distancing," it may indeed be more difficult. But there are ways -- be creative! 
Can you think of someone who has helped you in the past? Send them a thank you note. Do you have an acquaintance who is depressed because of the stay at home restrictions? Give them a call on the phone or better yet, use technology and share with them via a video call. Ask someone how they are, and truly listen to their answer! And then pray for them and tell them you will continue to pray.
Do you have time on your hands and fabrics in your stash? Make protective gear for healthcare workers and first responders. Are there community efforts nearby that we can assist with, with little risk to our health? Volunteer!

A servant's heart is far more concerned with meeting the needs of others than having one's own needs met. Look for opportunities to minister to unbelievers and believers alike.

We'll finish our study tomorrow . . . right now, I'm off to make a list of folks I'm going to send cards to! See ya!