A number of years ago, a prominent fundamental leader preached a message on the topic of "duty". In it, he advanced the idea that "duty" was an important motivating factor in the Christian life, and that, if nothing else, we ought to do what's right because it is our "duty" to do so.
I have no particular disagreement with the message as I recall it. But I would suggest that God is seeking more from us than mere "duty". I think the Lord desires us to serve Him not only because it is our "duty" to do so, but also because we want to. I think He wants service that is more than just obligation, but service that is filled with desire and enthusiasm. I have called it serving with "duty" versus "affection".
In 1 Chronicles 29, King David is planning to build the glorious Temple of the Lord. God refused to let David build the Temple because he had shed so much blood in battle. But God would allow David to raise money and to collect materials for his son, Solomon, to build it.
In verse 2, David says "Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God..." and then lists the gold, silver and other things he has collected. Then, he says in verse 3: "Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,.." and then lists what he--personally--gave. David distinguishes between what he did publicly...as King...out of "duty", and what he gave personally...as a believer...out of--as he put it: "affection." There is a difference between serving God out of duty and serving out of affection.
Wrong motivations for serving
I believe that some(how much I cannot know) of what is done for the Kingdom of God is done because we feel it is our "duty", that is, it is what is expected of us as believers. I think that, often, many Christians attend church because they know they "ought to" and that the preacher will get on them if they miss. Every pastor is glad his members come to church regularly, but every man of God also wants his people to desire to be there.
Some believers read their Bibles and pray because it is the expected thing to do as a Christian; it is their "duty". This is certainly better than not reading the Word, but would it not be more beneficial(and glorifying to God) to really "hunger and thirst after righteousness"...and to seek God's Word as the "hart panteth after the waterbrook..."? We might mow the church lawn, count the offerings, clean the restrooms or run a bus route route simply because it is our "duty" and needs to be done....and praise God for that attitude! But would it not be so much better to also do these things out of "affection" for the good Lord?
Obligation versus gratitude
Service that is motivated strictly out of duty is "public" and expected. Service that is motivated by affection is personal, and unexpected. Nearly everyone gave to the treasury because it was the "expected" thing to do. David was clear to point out that he also gave---of his own personal resources. It reminds us of the widow and the two mites in the new testament. The rich gave out of obligation and of their abundance. The widow gave of her necessity...and with, it seems, a heart full of gratitude. The amount the wealthy gave wasn't important. It was the heart "of affection" of the old widow that caught the eye of the Lord Jesus that day.
Service or giving that is "duty-motivated" produces interesting reactions in people. Years ago I pastored a small church which needed new songbooks. We took up an offering for new hymnals and I agreed to place a sticker in the front of each one stating who bought it. Later, when the church closed and we gave the books to another church, one man frantically tried to retrieve "his" songbook(the one with his name in it). Many of the others made no such effort. They simply rejoiced that the books could be put to good use. I think the one fellow gave out of "duty"...but not out of "affection."
Results of affection-motivation
When we serve the Lord because we love Him and want to do whatever we can for Him, it will produce in us a quiet peace and humble spirit. The "affection-motivated" Christian does not get upset when things do not go his way, or when the little "injustices" of life step on his feelings or deflate his ego . The Christian motivated by "affection" for his Lord looks past the temporal circumstances of this life to greater crowns and rewards later on.
Serving with affection means we will not quit. Adonirum Judson labored eight years in Burma without a single convert. He was beaten, imprisoned and lost several wives and children. How did he make it? I can tell you, it was more than mere "duty"!
Missionary Hudson Taylor in China suffered great misunderstandings, the loss of a wife and child, bitter cold, stifling heat, and death threats, but still kept going. How did he make it? It was more than mere "duty"!
Pastor Richard Wurmbrand suffered the tortures and indignities of communistic prisons in Romania for 14 years. He saw friends tortured and killed, and he himself suffered solitary confinement for years. He not only didn't renounce his faith, but went on to found the Voice of the Martyrs service organization. How did he remain so faithful? It was more that mere "duty!"
If we serve merely out of duty, then service becomes a strain on our emotions and a drain on our resources. We find ourselves getting irritated at the most inconsequential things. There is little joy is such work. But if we serve because we love Him---because we have affection toward Him---then there will be blessing, and peace, and great joy.
Duty alone focuses on what we do. Affection focuses on what He did! Love for our Saviour will sustain us long after the duty to serve is gone. Are you doing your "duty" for God? Wonderful! Would you be sure to add your "affection" to it as well?
