Sacrificing time for service will help you love those you serve.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are asked to perform many acts of service, especially through our callings. Sister Cristina B. Franco notes in her talk “The Joy of Unselfish Service” that in our busy lives, we may get caught up in selfish service, focusing on what service will do for us rather than focusing on our love for God and our neighbors. She reminds us to think about why we serve and to be willing to make sacrifices in order to serve.
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Sister Franco recounts the New Testament story of the widow who gave everything she had—two small bronze coins—as her tithing. Some people may have mocked her or others like her for giving such a small amount. The Lord says of the widow, “This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:43–44).
Sometimes we might avoid service, saying we don’t have even a single second to spare for others. Sister Franco asks, “Are we giving our all to the Lord without reservation? Are we sacrificing of our time and talents so the rising generation can learn to love the Lord and keep His commandments? Are we ministering both to those around us and to those we are assigned with care and with diligence—sacrificing time and energy that could be used in other ways? Are we living the two great commandments—to love God and to love His children?”
Sister Franco promises that when we sacrifice even seconds to seek service, loving others becomes sacred.
Watch or read Sister Franco’s talk to learn more stories about unselfish service.
Source: ChurchofJesusChrist.org
—Savanna Stone, Mormon Insights
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Find more insights
Read Elder Oaks’s talk “Unselfish Service” to learn more about how to serve with love.
Read or watch President Monson’s BYU devotional “Great Expectations” to understand your role in God’s plan.
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