Service without Expectations

I do. As my kids have grown and are no longer in full time need of a mom, I have some community service I do with the only purpose is to give hungry kids food. That’s it no more. I don’t do 10 hours a week, my life isn’t that free yet, but a couple hours every week I can. When I find out about other things, I jump in if I have time.

Now I do also arrange the service in my ward, so those get attention and that sometimes becomes a sales pitch, but I look at it as me helping someone else to have a community service opportunity.

Now VT – I do that just to be guilt free when the lesson on VT comes around.

Some of us have mentioned that broken expectations have been a stumbling block in our continued activity in the LDS Church.

Today, in our combined RS and PH meeting, someone showed a video of Uchdorft indicating that service should be selfless — that we should leave the “Self” out of it. That everyone wants recognition, (for example) and that we should serve without any expectation of it. He commented that its no wonder that the “Selfy” is has been awarded the number 1 word of the year…everyone laughed.

But seriously, can we serve completely selflessly? Can the average person put in 10-20 hours a week in service to our chosen organizations on a consistent basis (such as over a period of years) without expecting anything in return? If so, how can this be done? What attitudes do you need? If not, why, and what should a person expect from their service?

Can we really serve selfless if we are wearing a bright yellow with green boarders bib that says “Mormon Helping Hands”? If by wearing the bib, we are expecting something in return (respect from the community, future converts, etc) have we failed? How is this “service” compatible with Matthew 6: 1-4

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

“Selfless” can be taken to an extreme to where it can be counterproductive. Like all things in life, there is a balance called wisdom.

The Savior did not get crucified for giving anonymous selfless service under the radar that nobody was aware of. While He did many times show that as examples, there are appropriate times that He stood and identified who He was, and what His mission was, and how others should listen to His message, drawing enough attention that crowds of people followed Him.

I don’t see the church at fault for yellow helping hands shirts identifying the organization that coordinated good works. In fact, I see it likely that publicity came out of criticism the church is rich and doesn’t care to do humanitarian efforts…and to dispel that…they try to balance some publicity while avoiding publicity whoremongering.

I do not see the personal blessings the bishop receives for his hours of effort to be unrighteous.

I see the “correct” expectations are needed, not “no expectations”. Let God have the glory. But please give me the strength to do God’s will. I cannot do it alone with no confirmation that my service is not important. As the old saying goes…”Popularity comes from pleasing people, greatness comes from pleasing God.”

I agree, Nibbler. Or many will not want any recognition in this life but know it will benefit them in the next life. Even that is a selfish motive to be rewarded in heaven or to please God.