Why do we need to serve our oikos?
Oikos is all about relationships, not outcomes. The second that we impose some type of expectation on the relationship or push towards an outcome, it will be fake. When serving your oikos, strive to be genuine.
Let’s examine Jesus’ example and His teachings:
John 13:34-35 “34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- This was one of the last things that Jesus instructed the disciples to do before going to the cross.
- Mark 2:15 - Jesus was able to reach Levi’s household (oikos) by simply having dinner with him.
- Luke 19:9 - Jesus reflects on his conversation with Zacchaeus saying “Today salvation has come to this house (oikos)”.
- John 4:53 - Jesus healed a royal official’s son and as a result, his entire household (oikos) believed in Him.
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
What is overflowing from your life?
How can you serve your oikos?
- Give people your time
- Meet physical needs
- Brainstorm what will work for your oikos
This may look different for different people and the type of relationship you have with them
- Allowing your oikos to serve YOU
Avoiding burnout while deepening relationships.
Share the Gospel/invite to church/lifegroup
Meeting needs is great, but sharing the Gospel is better. In the context of eternity, serving your oikos will mean nothing unless you eventually take the step to share the Gospel with them.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
Oikos is about building relationships with people. This facilitates us being Christ’s ambassador’s and to be able to spread His message of hope, joy, peace, and love.
