All for the One
Why do we do what we do? What is your heart posture in your work?
March 7, 2026
Many people serve in the world for the kingdom, but not all do so for the right reasons. Some seek pride, power, or validation, while others begin with honesty and sincerity but can become corrupted over time, often starting with small compromises that take root. The key difference lies in the heart: Are we like Saul, who cared more about his status, or David, who valued his connection with the Lord above all?
A “Saul” seeks to destroy others who appear to threaten his position because he has the power to do so (1 Samuel 18:1-14). A “David” walks in honour and integrity with his enemies because he fears God. (1 Samuel 24:4-6 NIV, 1 Samuel 26:9 ESV, 2 Samuel 1:14 NKJV.)
One walked in disobedience with fear of man, the other in obedience to the LORD with fear of the Lord. One wanted the praise of man over the praise of heaven ( 1 Samuel 13). While the other cared more for the praise of heaven than the praise of man ( 1 Kings 3:14 ).
The battle between dynasties might seem distant to most people today, but it appears in the attitudes people hold. In ministry or church culture, one can have either a Saul or David heart posture. Today, many seek fivefold ministry titles, eager to be called apostle or prophet and offended if not addressed as such. My question is: What if we simply called ourselves servants of the LORD? Would those titles matter as much? Chasing positions with wrong motives is like Saul taking Samuel’s priestly role instead of waiting. 1 Samuel 13:8-14.
Would they be willing to serve rather than be served? Would they show up if only one person came, or would they be offended by the low turnout? Can they serve in a secret place with the LORD, or does the whole world need to know how great a servant they are through social media? David was anointed as king and was sent back to the sheep afterwards to wait on the Lord's timing.
For example two ways to catch fish: with a fishing rod or a net. The fishing rod catches fewer fish but can be used in places a net cannot go. A fishing net requires more equipment to use and catches more fish and other items at once. Which is more important, the fish in the net or on the rod? They both are important.
We are called to be fishers of men, and everyone is valuable to the LORD. Are we willing to serve even if it's just one person? The answer to the question lies in the heart and in where we place our identity. Is our identity from the acts of service, or who we are in Christ?
The most important thing that we can do is to have the Father's love. Love is the greatest among hope and faith.
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
Here is a true story to reflect on how this can play out in the modern world, among regular believers.
One time, a popular minister came to town for a multiday conference. They would give powerful words of breakthrough and speak to the crowd about spiritual authority. Afterwards, a small group went out to a fast-food place to get a bite to eat with that minister. In front of this group, a homeless man was struggling to pay for the meal. Two regular church members were behind this individual; then, behind those members were the popular minister and the hosting pastor. The member in front of the pair got a prompting by the Holy Spirit to pay for the homeless man's meal. While they were trying to discern if it was the Holy Spirit and how to do the task humbly, the pair behind them started talking about the homeless man in a prideful manner.
"Look at him, his demons are very uncomfortable with our presence here? "in a pious tone.
The other one agreed with them, looking down on the individual while being proud of their spiritual presence and its effect.
The homeless man paid for their food and stood in a different line, waiting for it. The church member who got the prompting to pay for the bill ordered their food and stood next to him in the food line. They quietly spoke with the individual, said they felt led to pay for their meal, and slipped them some cash while shaking their hand. The individual was moved by this gesture. The church member asked if they could pray for them and if they had anything they would like prayer for. Turns out their brother was going into surgery the next day and was a diabetic with poor control and might lose their legs due to infection. That member discreetly prayed for that person and parted ways. The homeless man appeared to be moved and grateful for the encounter.
Everyone else in the group was on the other side of the room, sitting at the tables, eating their food. The church member joined them, never saying a word about what had just happened. That individual was worried about being prideful and likes working in secret with the Lord. That encounter left a mark and raised many pondering questions. Did the church member do the right thing in secret, or should they have acted straight away and paid the bill openly, exposing the pride of those talking behind them? Who was the most prideful, and who was blind to their pride?
These are the moments that test our hearts. Do we operate in the Father's love or the flesh? Do we walk in obedience or disobedience? Do we do an act to gain a reward from the people, like Saul or from the LORD, like David?
Can we be trusted with the little? When we have more, can we still see the value in the one?
These are the moments that test our hearts. Do we operate in the Father's love or the flesh? Do we walk in obedience or disobedience? Do we do an act to gain a reward from the people, like Saul or from the LORD, like David?
Prayer
Father God, thank you for the opportunity to minister to people by pouring out the things you have shown me. I pray that it reaches those that you intend for it to reach. I pray that we are all strengthened to value obedience more than sacrifice. That we seek your praise from heaven more than the praise of man. That we remain humble and trustworthy with what is given to us to steward. That the size of the crowd does not move us, but that your heart does, Father. That we do all things in your love, bringing you glory, honour, and praise. IF things are done without love, they become hindrances and meaningless. Let our works not fall into the vanity of pride, lest our love grow cold. Let us return to our first love with you, Jesus, and remain burning for you. In Jesus mighty name, amen, and thank you.