30 Bible Verses About Serving Others That Will Motivate You to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Table of Contents
Do you ever find yourself in a position to help someone, but fail to do so out of shyness or embarrassment of putting yourself forwards?
We all fail to be our best selves at times. More importantly, we often tend to forget the example Jesus set for us all, as well as what serving others means to God and for ourselves.
It is one of the noblest things to live life being of service to others. What we give to the world is often returned to us in equal measure, and it is true that we can find lasting happiness more in helping others than we can in helping ourselves alone.
If you struggle to step outside of your comfort zone when it is your time to help, or just need some inspiration to be more of a charitable, patient person in general, here are 30 bible verses about serving others.
1) Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Luke 6:31 is one of the most recited verses of the bible with a clear message that we can all relate to: to treat others the same way that we ourselves would like to be treated.
2) Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
To carry other each’s burdens – make other’s problems are own and lend a helping hand – in the same way Jesus did, both throughout his life and at the time of his death, is to fulfill the purpose of God.
3) Matthew 5:42
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
We should never hesitate to offer our possessions when someone is in need, or even offer ourselves up to help. If we look at the gospels, this is how Jesus lived his time on earth.
4) Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
This short verse from Hebrews reminds us not to forget to do good, as it is what pleases God the most. In other words, it is easy to please God by simply being of service to those around us.
5) Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This beautiful verse from Matthew tells us to be a light, or beacon of hope, to others. In the same way, being a light is to also set a good example for others, so that they may follow in the teachings of Christ.
6) Philippians 2:3-4
“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.”
This important verse reminds us to never value ourselves over others, or put our interests first. At the same time, we should help others for the sole purpose of helping them, not for selfish desires or to feed vanity.
7) Matthew 10:8
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Matthew 10:8 is one of the most memorable verses telling us not to discriminate, especially when someone needs our help. This verse also reminds us that when we have received something freely, we should also aim to give back freely.
8) Luke 6:30
“Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”
Similar to Matthew 5:42, Luke 6:30 tells us never to hesitate when someone asks for our help. In addition, when something is taken from us, we should aim to forgive, rather than demand it back.
9) Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Just as Jesus defended the oppressed, we should follow in his footsteps, seeking justice always for those who deserve it, and looking after those who are experiencing misfortune.
10) John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
This powerful verse from John can be taken literally and figuratively. There is no greater love than to lay down your life for someone else. Similarly, we can express this same love by devoting our lives to helping others.
11) Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38 tells us how what we give to the world is always returned to us. In other words, the same kindness we give out is the same amount of kindness we shall receive. This also builds on the message of Luke 6:31.
12) Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
This short verse from Romans reminds us that we are all of the Lord’s people. We are the same, with all of us needing help at some point. As this is the case, we should practice hospitality every day.
13) 1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
God’s undying love for us is to help one another and take care of one another—as He does for us. When we fail to have pity on our fellow man or help them when we possess the means to do so, we must question whether we are truly channeling the love of God.
14) Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Being kind, compassionate, and forgiving is to be of the same character of Jesus Christ. To be compassionate is to be forgiving, and to be forgiving is to be compassionate.
15) Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 explains how we were created in His image, as well as created to follow in the example of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, our purpose on earth is to do good works.
16) Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invite me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
This powerful verse from Matthew speaks for itself: we should always aim to help everyone, whether they are hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, or imprisoned.
17) Luke 12:33
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”
Luke 12:33 has a simple message behind its metaphors. The message is to not worry about our possessions here on earth, for the treasure that awaits us in heaven is greater should we lead good lives.
18) Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 emphasizes the message of Philippines 2:3-4—we should honor others over ourselves, remaining devoted to a life of love.
19) 1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
We all have a special gift given to us by God, and we should use it on earth to serve others—whether it is the gift of teaching, singing, cooking, fixing things, entertaining, or simply making others laugh and smile.
20) Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
To do right by the poor and needy is to also do right by the Lord, for which we will all be rewarded for doing so.
21) 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
We are all God’s children, therefore this verse from 1 Thessalonians urges us to encourage one another and build each other up.
22) Proverbs 14:21
“It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
We should not look down on others, nor look at them with disapproval. By being kind to the needy, we are blessed and shall continue to be blessed.
23) Matthew 23:11
“The greatest among you will be your servant.”
Matthew 23:11 has a powerful message behind it. It tells us that those who live their lives serving others are among the greatest of people, for they are doing God’s work.
24) Proverbs 14:31
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
We were all created equal by God in His image, therefore to oppress the poor is to insult God as our Maker. However, to be kind to one another is to also honor God’s work.
25) Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
From the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and to even continue to do good to those who hate us, curse us, or mistreat us. This is Jesus’ command because our response to being mistreated determines our character, as well as our capacity for His love.
26) Proverbs 29:7
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
This short but important Proverb is a reminder for us to be compassionate. In fact, it shows wickedness of character to not be at all concerned for those who are poor or need help.
27) Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
When we have the power to help others, it is important that we fulfill our duty before God. Similarly, those who deserve good, or justice, should always be given it when it is due.
28) Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
As it is told in Proverbs 14:21, those who do good will be blessed by God. We should always be kind, as well as generous with what we are able to offer.
29) Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25 is a wonderful verse that has multiple meanings. Through generosity, God promises us that we will prosper – both on earth and in His afterlife. The generosity we display will be returned to us, while also providing us entry to God’s kingdom.
30) John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
If there is any single message to take from the bible and live by, a message that exemplifies Jesus’ life on earth, it is John 15:12.
This unforgettable message spoken by Jesus himself is that he requests we love each other, just as he loved his disciples, loved the people he met, and continues to love us—no matter who we are or what we have done.
