THE PLACE OF UNDERSTANDING IN KINGDOM SERVICE

CHAPTER 2

I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies (Psalms 119:125)

Good understanding of the rules and regulations applicable in the kingdom of God (thy testimonies) enhances your ability to offer good and acceptable kingdom service. You can not be a good and faithful servant in the kingdom of God without understanding the laws (testimonies) of God. The laws of God modulate your services within certain acceptable boundaries. Understanding the rules and regulations in the Kingdom of God conform you within certain given parameters that enables you offer impeccable services which attract honour.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart (Psalms 119:34)

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments (Psalms 119:73)

 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live (Psalms 119:144)

Good understanding lays a solid foundation for acceptable, honour generating Kingdom service.

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:3)

Serving God without good understanding is serving without a solid sure foundation. Such kind of service runs the risk of being offered on a fault foundation which may end up bringing shame other than honour. A good example is when someone serves God with the intension of pleasing men. Paul called it eye-service.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men (Ephesians 6:5–7)

Paul repeated the same statement in his epistle to the brethrens in Colossians

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God (Colossians 3:22)

Another example is when people offer their services with wrong motive aiming either for money, fame or positions. Simon the sorcerer tried it as recorded in the book of Acts.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity (Acts 8:18 – 23)

Let us serve God with understanding. Let us understand we are serving a mighty God. Let us understand we are serving not for money, fame or positions but we are service because that is our divine mandate.

Kingdom service is a pathway to honour. Kingdom service pays not with money but with heavenly rewards. Money can only do so much by heavenly rewards address all the aspects of our lives. Kingdom service is profitable both here on earth and in the life after.