In most cases being addicted to something is not very desirable.  When we think about the alcoholic sitting on a park bench with half of a bottle of liquor, his life all but ruined by his addiction to alcohol,  it is not a pretty picture.  When we think of the heroin addict sitting in a cell somewhere, going through withdrawal symptoms, shaking and sweating, it is not a desirable situation.  Most of the time addiction, whether it be to drugs, gambling, material possessions, or something else, is something we want to avoid.  

There is, however, a desirable addiction.  It does not put one at odds with God; instead, it demonstrates one’s fidelity to Him.  Listen to Paul: 

1 Corinthians 16:15 (KJV)
¹⁵   I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.

The common thought in all references to the word “ministry” is service.  To minister to someone is to serve that person in some capacity.  Christianity and serving others go hand in hand: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

Jesus taught us to serve others when He washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:1-17).  After washing their feet, Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. . . .if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

These passages show us that we have a real responsibility to serve one another, but it should not be a burden; rather, it should be a joy.  Serving one another should be a natural expression of the love we have for each other.  We should enjoy serving each other to the point where we are, like the house of Stephanas, addicted to the ministry of the saints.

There are many ways to serve each other.  We can visit a brother or sister in the hospital when they are sick or take a meal to the family of one who is ill.  We can offer to rake up the leaves or shovel off snow from the drive of an elderly couple’s home.   Helping others is what serving is all about.

In the spiritual realm, we serve by using our talents to help others.  Teachers are no more than servants (1 Corinthians 3:4, 5).  Elders are servants.  Deacons are servants.  Song leaders are servants.  Preachers are servants.  Brethren who rebuke and try to restore the fallen are servants.  Those who wait on the Lord’s Table are servants.  In all of these things, the purpose is to help others.  This is the Lord’s will for all of us.

Addictions are not usually good, but when it comes to doing good and serving God by serving the saints, that is something to which we all should be addicted.  

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.