How May I Help You?

Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 28:2-6, 9

“Daniel, Daniel!” Daniel’s little brother and sister came zooming into the room. “Will you play store with us? Please?”

Daniel smiled. “Okay, sure.” Eli and Alessia often begged Daniel to play store with them, but Daniel didn’t mind. Their grandfather owned a hardware store, and the kids loved to visit and see people come in to buy all sorts of interesting things. They often asked a lot of questions, and Grandpa was always happy to do what he could to help them. Grandpa said that when Daniel was older, he could work at the store after school. Daniel figured playing store with Eli and Alessia was good practice.

Daniel followed his siblings to where they had a make-believe store set up. “Eli and I will be the customers,” Alessia said. She put a toy phone to her ear. “Ring, ring!”

Daniel picked up the other end. “Hello, how may I help you?” That was how Grandpa answered the phone.

As Daniel was helping Eli and Alessia choose things to buy, Dad came in. “Okay, kids, time to go to the nursing home. Families from church are taking turns visiting, and tonight’s our night.”

Daniel frowned. “Couldn’t just you and Mom go?”

Dad shook his head. “The people look forward to our visits, and they especially like seeing kids. It brightens their whole day.”

“Well, it doesn’t brighten my day,” said Daniel.

He expected Dad to scold him, but instead, Dad changed the subject. “Daniel, how does Grandpa answer the phone at the store?”

“He says, ‘How may I help you?’” replied Daniel.

Dad nodded. “Yes, and I’ve heard you answer the same way when you’re playing store with Eli and Alessia. It’s a good way to show that you’re willing and eager to help someone. Now, is there a way you could ask that question not just to customers, but to God?”

“What do you mean?” asked Daniel.

“Well, the Bible teaches that God wants those who love Him to serve Him willingly,” said Dad. “I think He’d like us to say to Him, ‘How may I serve You, Lord?’ Tonight He’d probably answer, ‘You can serve Me by visiting the people at the nursing home—with a willing heart.’” – Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?

What’s your attitude when you serve the Lord? When you’re asked to help out at home or visit someone who’s sick, do you do it willingly? Today’s Scripture reading and Key Verse tell what King David said to his son Solomon. It’s good advice for you too. Serve God by serving others with a willing heart.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Chronicles 28:9 Serve [God] with a loyal heart and with a willing mind.

Today’s Key Thought:

Serve God willingly