Wholehearted, Voluntary Service

July 13 – 19, 2025

Key Text

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30

Study Help: The Review and Herald, January 14, 1890; Early Writings, 266–269

Introduction

“The whole being—heart, soul, mind, and strength—is to be used in God’s service. What is there left that is not devoted to God?” The Review and Herald, November 6, 1900

Sunday

1 MOTIVE FOR SERVICE

1.a. What aspects of discipleship are often overlooked by many who profess to follow Christ? Mark 8:34; John 15:19, 20

Note: “Christ made a full and complete sacrifice, a sacrifice sufficient to save every son and daughter of Adam who should show repentance toward God for having transgressed His law, and manifest faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet notwithstanding the sacrifice was ample, but few consent to a life of obedience that they may have this great salvation. Few are willing to imitate His amazing privations, to endure His sufferings and persecutions, and to share His exhausting labor to bring others to the light. But few will follow His example in earnest, frequent prayer to God for strength to endure the trials of this life and perform its daily duties. Christ is the Captain of our salvation, and by His own sufferings and sacrifice He has given an example to all His followers that watchfulness and prayer, and persevering effort, were necessary on their part if they would rightly represent the love which dwelt in His bosom for the fallen race.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, 664

1.b. What contrast exists between true and false service? Job 31:24–28; 29:11–16. Why must we reexamine our motives?

Note: “With many, the rubbish of the world has clogged the channels of the soul. Selfishness has controlled the mind and warped the character. Were the life hid with Christ in God, His service would be no drudgery. If the whole heart were consecrated to God, all would find something to do, and would covet a part in the work. They would sow beside all waters, praying and believing that the fruit would appear. The practical, God-fearing workers will be growing upward, praying in faith for grace and heavenly wisdom that they may do the work devolving upon them with cheerfulness and a willing mind.” The Review and Herald, December 19, 1878

Monday

2 THE KEYNOTE OF CHRIST’S TEACHINGS

2.a. What unfortunate contrast exists between Christ Himself and many of His professed followers today? Philippians 2:21

Note: “The plan of salvation was laid in a sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. Christ did not send His angels to this fallen world, while He remained in heaven; but He Himself went without the camp, bearing the reproach. He became a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; Himself took our infirmities, and bore our weaknesses. And the absence of self-denial in His professed followers, God regards as a denial of the Christian name. Those who profess to be one with Christ, and indulge their selfish desires for rich and expensive clothing, furniture, and food, are Christians only in name. To be a Christian is to be Christlike.

“And yet how true are the words of the apostle: ‘For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.’ Many Christians do not have works corresponding to the name they bear. They act as if they had never heard of the plan of redemption wrought out at infinite cost. The majority aim to make a name for themselves in the world; they adopt its forms and ceremonies, and live for the indulgence of self. They follow out their own purposes as eagerly as do the world, and thus they cut off their power to help in establishing the kingdom of God.” Counsels on Stewardship, 54

2.b. What heavenly principle does Christ enjoin upon all of His followers today, and why? Matthew 16:24–26

Note: “Those who would gain the blessing of sanctification must first learn the meaning of self-sacrifice. The cross of Christ is the central pillar on which hangs the ‘far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory’ (2 Corinthians 4:17). [Matthew 16:24 quoted.] It is the fragrance of our love for our fellowmen that reveals our love for God. It is patience in service that brings rest to the soul.” The Acts of the Apostles, 560

“We are to practice the same self-sacrifice that led Him [Christ] to give Himself up to the death of the cross, to make it possible for human beings to have eternal life.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, 49

Tuesday

3 LEARNING FROM THE APOSTLES

3.a. What was the secret of the apostle Paul’s fervent love for the souls of men? 2 Corinthians 4:15–18; 5:14, 15

Note: “How can those for whom Christ has sacrificed so much, continue to enjoy His gifts selfishly? His love and self-denial are without a parallel; and when this love enters into the experience of His followers, they will identify their interests with those of their Redeemer. Their work will be to build up the kingdom of Christ. They will consecrate themselves and their possessions to Him, and use both as His cause may require.” Counsels on Stewardship, 55

“The love of Jesus in the soul will be revealed in word and deed. The kingdom of Christ will be paramount. Self will be laid a willing sacrifice on the altar of God. Everyone who is truly united with Christ will feel the same love for souls that caused the Son of God to leave His royal throne, His high command, and for our sake become poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich.” Ibid.

3.b. Of what tendency does the apostle John warn believers, and how may this apply to us?
1 John 2:15–17

Note: “While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, souls are dying without hope and without God in the world. Many, very many, for the sake of worldly advantage, for the sake of acquiring knowledge of the sciences, will venture into pestilential regions, and will go into countries where they think they can obtain commercial advantage; but where are the men and women who will change their location, and move their families into regions that are in need of the light of the truth, in order that their example may tell upon those who shall see in them the representatives of Christ?” Counsels on Stewardship, 56

Wednesday

4 A PURE, CONTENTED HEART

4.a. As servants of Christ, what should characterize our faith and why? Ephesians 6:6–8

Note: “Is there not danger that the precious, immortal inheritance may be eclipsed by the valueless treasure of earth? There is danger that your usefulness may be destroyed, your faith weakened, your soul-temple defiled with buyers and sellers. There is need that we keep our souls in the love of God. There is need of a closer connection with the Master, of walking in the light as He is in the light. It is our duty to place ourselves in a position where we may give our whole heart’s loving service to God, by personal holiness and practical benevolence.” The Review and Herald, June 19, 1888

4.b. Why did Christ reiterate the tenth commandment during His ministry? Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15. How are we to gain victory in this area?

Note: “Christ is our example. He gave His life as a sacrifice for us, and He asks us to give our lives as a sacrifice for others. Thus we may cast out the selfishness which Satan is constantly striving to implant in our hearts. This selfishness is death to all piety, and can be overcome only by manifesting love to God and to our fellowmen. Christ will not permit one selfish person to enter the courts of heaven. No covetous person can pass through the pearly gates; for all covetousness is idolatry.” Counsels on Stewardship, 26

Thursday

5 RENDERING GENUINE SERVICE

5.a. Why can we be encouraged by the example of the early Christians in Macedonia? 2 Corinthians 8:1–5

Note: “Nearly all the Macedonian believers were poor in this world’s goods, but their hearts were overflowing with love for God and His truth, and they gladly gave for the support of the gospel. When general collections were taken up in the Gentile churches for the relief of the Jewish believers, the liberality of the converts in Macedonia was held up as an example to other churches.” The Acts of the Apostles, 343

5.b. How does Christ summarize our duty as believers? Mark 12:29–31. What happens as we put this principle into daily practice?

Note: “The whole being is to be consecrated to the service of the Master.” General Conference Bulletin, April 16, 1901

“No one can be truly united with Christ, practicing His lessons, submitting to His yoke of restraint, without realizing that which he can never express in words. New, rich thoughts come to him. Light is given to the intellect, determination to the will, sensitiveness to the conscience, purity to the imagination. The heart becomes more tender, the thoughts more spiritual, the service more Christlike. In the life there is seen that which no words can express—true, faithful, loving devotion of heart, mind, soul, and strength to the work of the Master.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, 476, 477

Friday

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1 How did the life of Job reflect the Spirit of Christ?

2 What common tendency must we overcome if we would be victorious?

3 What do Paul and John teach us about cultivating eternal values?

4 Why is covetousness so detrimental to our souls?

5 How is wholehearted service rewarded, even in this earthly life?