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Conclude your journey through service with this uplifting episode of Start Small. Based on Hebrews 13:16, we discover that giving to others doesn't just please God—it transforms us and brings deep, lasting joy. After learning to serve through small acts, encouragement, humility, and looking for needs, we now explore why service becomes increasingly joyful as we become more like Jesus.
What You'll Learn:
Giving Pleases God: Hebrews calls doing good and sharing "sacrifices." In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offerings to God—acts of worship. Now our sacrifices look different: acts of kindness, generosity, service. When you do good and share, you're offering a sacrifice to God, worshiping Him through generosity, saying "Everything I have is Yours, and I want to use it to bless others and bring You glory." It pleases Him because your giving reflects His character—God is a giver, generous, who gave His Son and gives grace, mercy, love, and provision.
Becoming More Like Jesus: At first, giving might feel hard, sacrificial in a painful way—costing time, money, comfort, convenience. But as you grow in relationship with Jesus, something shifts. Giving feels less like sacrifice and more like worship, less like loss and more like gain. Why? Because you're becoming like Jesus, who "for the joy set before him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus gave everything with joy. As you become more like Him, you experience deep satisfaction from living generously, understanding that when you give, you're not losing—you're gaining purpose, meaning, connection, and joy.
The Paradox of Giving: Jesus said "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). There's something uniquely satisfying about giving—a joy you can't get any other way. When you give time, you receive the joy of making a difference. When you give resources, you receive the joy of being part of God's provision. When you give presence, you receive the joy of being a conduit of God's love. This isn't transactional; joy is the natural result of living as God designed you.
Cultivating Joy Through Practice: Give in small, consistent ways, and over time your heart changes. The more you serve, the more natural it becomes. You start seeing impact, looking for opportunities, feeling excited about blessing others. This transformation happens through small, consistent acts over time.
This Week's Small Step: Reflect on the joy of giving in small, consistent ways. Think back over this week's service. Journal or pray through: When did I experience joy in giving? What did serving feel like? How has it changed me? Where do I still resist? How can I make giving a consistent, joyful part of life? Then commit to continuing—make giving a regular practice and pay attention to how it shapes you over time.
Perfect for anyone wanting to experience joy in service, move from duty-driven to joy-filled giving, understand God's heart for generosity, or become more like Jesus through serving.
Scripture Focus: Hebrews 13:16 Series: Start Small: Small Steps. Big Results. Week Theme: Service
