Weekly Devotional: Having the Heart of a Servant

eight people joining hands together as a team

Questions like, What does it mean to serve? and Why should we have the heart of a servant? are important to discuss. Serving others is a fundamental aspect for someone who practices faith. There are aspects to serving in which we can learn and grow from. It helps to transform our hearts from always receiving, to being grateful and giving back. This devotional will help in answering those initial questions and lay out a few practical ways you can serve others.

In This Article:

Having the Heart to Serve

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. — Philippians 2:3-4, NIV



To have the heart of a servant. To seek for the benefit of others as opposed to yourself. Having the heart of a servant can be very challenging at times, especially if we go through difficult trials in life. It can be difficult to see and serve the needs of others as opposed to ourselves when we think that we may deserve it more than any other person. By working toward having the heart of a servant, we can build unity and trust with others. It also helps us to have a grateful heart for what God provides for us. 

There are many ways for people to serve within different areas and it doesn’t always have to be grand action. You can serve in lots of smaller ways that still make a big impact on people’s lives.

Here are some areas and practical ways you can serve:

  • You can serve in your local community. You can seek out volunteer opportunities or help out a neighbor.
  • You can serve within your church, in any of the ministries, or help welcome new members.
  • You can serve in your daily life. By doing small acts of kindness, helping a friend or family member, mentoring someone or even simply listening to those who are in need.

The Call To Serve

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. — Mark 10:45, NIV

To answer the question of, Why should we have the heart of a servant? it is because God calls us to serve just as Jesus served us. Jesus was the ultimate example of a servant, because he not only served others but sacrificed his life for our salvation. We have the example of Jesus to look up to and model. By serving others, we reflect Christ’s love and bring glory to God. 

It is through serving that we can experience the joy and fulfillment of living out our faith and spreading love and kindness to those around us. Embrace the call to serve and let every action reflect the love of Christ; you will then have the heart of a servant.

Grand Canyon University is dedicated to helping all the members of the GCU community serve and help others. To learn more, take a look at our Christian identity and mission. To explore more about spiritual life here at GCU, browse through our other weekly devotionals or complete the form on this page.

Approved by the local outreach coordinator of the Office of Spiritual Life on June 4, 2024.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.