him, and then to try to win that
Lesson 1 child to turn all his abilities, his
Religious
views of
service
Religion and service
 Service in the form of giving help or
assistance to others is deeply rooted
in the texts, traditions, and practices
of many faiths. Take, for example, the
messages within the three Abrahamic
faiths.
1. Judaism
 Tzedakah is considered a and spiritually true service.
commandment and a moral
obligation that all jews should
follow. The commitment to justice
places a priority on their giving to
help the poor.
2. Christianity
 Similarly, the Christian tradition has
considered giving a key religious
practice. Many Christians still look
to Hebrew bible and the tithe (giving
one-tenth of an individual’s income)
as God’s commandment.
Great example of
service
1. Annie besant
 I will suggest that the great aim of
our education is to bring out of
the child who comes into our hands
every faculty that he brings with
powers, his capabilities, to the
helping and serving of the
community which is a part.
2. islam
for Muslims, giving is one of the
five pillars of Islam. “Zakat”
(meaning to growth in purity) is an
annual payment of 2.5 percent of
one’s assets, considered by many as
the minimum obligation of their
religious giving. A majority of
Muslims worldwide make their annual
zakat payments as a central faith
practice.
 Service may put us on the pedestal
and forget the true essence of serving
others. We should always check our
intentions and motives in helping and
serving our brothers and sisters.
 As a reminder, let us look at the
contrast of a spiritually proud service
Spiritually proud
service or spiritually
true service
 Spiritually proud service comes through
human effort. True service comes
from a relationship with God within.
 Spiritually proud service is impressed
with the “big act of service.” True
service finds it almost impossible to
distinguish the small from the large
act of service.
 Spiritually proud service requires
external rewards. True service rests
contented hiddenness.
 Spiritually proud service is highly
concerned about results. True service
 is free of the need to calculate
results.
 Spiritually proud service picks and
chooses whom to serve. True service is
indiscriminate in its ministry.
 Spiritually proud service is affected by
moods and whims. True service
ministers simply and faithfully because
there is need.
 Spiritually proud service is temporary.
True service is a lifestyle.
 Spiritually proud service is without
sensitivity. It insists on meeting the
need even when to do so would be
destructive. True service can withhold
the service as freely as perform it.
 Spiritually proud service fractures
community. True service, on the other
hand, builds community.

Final thoughts:
The value of all service lies in the spirit
in which you serve and not in the
importance or magnitude of the service.
Even the lowliest task or deed is made
holu, joyous, and prosperous when it is
filled with love
- Charles Fillmore-