Debbie Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields’ Cookies, said that her best public relations approach was a good cookie. When she was twenty years old and newly married, she wanted to sell the soft, chewy cookies that she’d been baking at home. (Which do you like better Mrs. Fields or Famous Amos) She opened her first cookie store, and the first day nobody bought any. So, she filled a tray, stepped out onto the sidewalk, and began giving cookies away. People followed her back to the store—to buy. Even today, with over 700 stores, she uses the same technique. At every location, passersby are invited in to sample free cookies.

Doesn’t make much sense does it? Getting people to buy your product by giving it away? But it worked, because Mrs. Fields realized that her primary objective wasn’t really making money; it was serving customers.

That is a good lesson for the church. We fret often over how to get new members into the church. People to fill seats and people to take on jobs and to be honest people to help pay the bills. But our best “public relations” approach, our best advertising, is to focus on what we can do for others, rather than what they can do for us. We all need to find ways to get outside the church and offer free to the world what Christ has given us. Show the world that Christ has made a difference in our lives by helping them in their distress, whatever that might be.

Danny Thomas said, “Success has nothing to do with what you gain or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” This is why Thomas will be remembered for establishing St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis long after people have forgotten Make Room For Daddy. And you probably have to be over 60 to even know what the Make Room for Daddy reference is about.

But that is the same principle that Jesus taught us to live by, the principle of “What Can I Do For You?” This is what he said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must become a servant.” (Matthew 20:26)

Whatever roles we may fill in our lives, parent, child, friend, neighbor, we must keep in mind that the primary role for all believers is that of a servant. Every day offers a new opportunity to invest our lives in others.

Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is worthwhile.” The University of Michigan Research Center performed a study that found that people who are involved in service to others dramatically increase their life expectancy and vitality. In other words, (as the cliché goes) being a servant adds years to your life and life to your years. This is because God has created us to serve.

Come join us every Sunday and learn ways you can serve others.