First, why should we serve?  In Philippians 2, Paul urges us to be like Christ.  Philippians 2:7 says Jesus took the very nature of a servant.  Let's explore what the nature of a servant is, keeping in mind that Christ is our model.

   2 Timothy, Luke, and Ephesians all list important qualities for servants.  2 Timothy 2:24 lists four things that servants should model: peacefulness, kindness, teaching, and forgiveness.  Luke 17:10 establishes the qualities of humility, selflessness, and reliability for servants; "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'" (Luke 17:10 NIV).  Servants should complete everything they are told to do, and once that is finished, they should recognize that they are unworthy of serving the Lord, because they are sinners.  Ephesians 6:7 commands us to "serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."  In fact, we are serving the Lord when we serve others.  According to Colossians 3:24,"It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

   The Bible even illustrates some basic guidelines or principles that we should have while serving.  Servants should serve with all their heart, be creative, not expect thanks, consider themselves unworthy servants, and, most importantly, work for Christ.  Let's dig into where these principles come from and how they can be applied.

   I honestly think the best way for you to learn about serving is to read the verses quoted above, and let God speak to your heart about the matter.  In my Bible's concordance, I found roughly 11 verses that applied directly to the topic of serving.  Your Bible may have more.  The ones I found were: Matthew 20:26-28, Matthew 25:21; Philippians 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:24; Luke 17:10; Ephesians 4:12, Ephesians 6:7; 1 Corinthians 12:5; Romans 12:11; and Colossians 3:24.  I encourage you to read these for yourselves, possibly in multiple translations.  You never know how God will speak or what He will say.

Qualities of Servants
Peaceful (2 Ti 2:24)
Kind (2 Ti 2:24)
Teaching (2 Ti 2:24)
Forgiving (2 Ti 2:24)
Reliable (Lk 17:10)
Humble (Lk 17:10)
Wholehearted (Eph 6:7)

Principles in Serving
Serve with all your heart.
Be creative.
Don't expect thanks.
Consider yourself an unworthy servant.
Work for Christ.