20% of the people experience 100% of the blessing.

This past Sunday, the ushers distributed a volunteer sign-up card. No matter how hard we might try otherwise, what happens next is probably almost a full guarantee: Our guiltometer starts moving.

Guilt is a powerful motivator—but it isn’t a very lasting one. A sob story or fingerwagging from the pulpit usually produces results, but, in the end, no one really feels very good about it.

True, some people feel guilty all the time—they probably wake up feeling like they are probably not doing enough to serve and help others. And, on the other extreme, some people always think everyone else is laying a guilt trip on them. 

Most of us, though, are in the middle, willing and able to volunteer—but with some largely reasonable hesitations.  Will I be any good at this? Will this be long term? Will I be asked to be in charge? Will I have help? Will it really make a difference? Will those in charge take advantage of my service?

All volunteer opportunities should come with clear expectations and parameters, tangible outcomes, and loads of gratitude. When any—or all—of these are missing, volunteers can become wary of raising their hands or signing a card again.

Fair enough. 

But! It is also true that many volunteer opportunities are not broadly communicated because a small percentage of servant-hearted people, aware of the needs, simply step in and lend a hand. Ironically, these people are usually people who are already involved in several ministries as volunteers. 

Hence, the maxim, 20% of the people do 80% of the work.

Hence, also the afore-mentioned corollary maxim: 20% of the people experience 100% of the blessing.

In other words, 80% are missing out on  some serious blessing--all because of missed opportunities to serve.  Juli Poole so beautifully communicated the truth of this maxim when she shared in her recent morning worship Ministry Highlight how she and others have been blessed to serve and been blessed by those who serve. That blessing came from someone's simple willingness to step out and selflessly invest in serving the body of Christ.

When Paul quoted Jesus as having taught it is “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), it is clear that he meant the act of giving, whether it be time, talent, or treasure, brings  far more joy than the act of receiving. Who doesn’t want to know such joy?

When we see God using us, it brings us joy. When we see God blessing others, it brings us joy. When we see God’s kingdom expanding, it brings us joy. When we see God’s people knit together in love, it brings us joy. 

Ultimately, volunteering is about laying up our treasures in heaven—that is, investing what we value most in Christ and his Kingdom. And, apart from Christ  himself, the most valuable part of his Kingdom is his people—our brothers and sisters in Christ.

When McIlwain’s various ministries are in need of volunteers, then, the opportunity before us is the opportunity to invest in one another, not merely in completing or carrying out a task. Whether it is Sunday school, nursery, Media, PTI or anything else, when we volunteer we are investing in building up the body of  Christ, expanding the Kingdom, and modeling the selfless love that Christ himself modeled for us as our Master (John 13:1-20).  And I can vouch that everything on that card that you received has someone in charge who can answer any of those questions listed above that you may have!

After washing the feet of the disciples (including Judas!) Jesus said,

“… have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

So let’s go for the blessing—so that 100% of the people experience 100% of that very thing!