24 Best Bible Verses About Volunteering

Category 1: The Heart of Service – Motivation and Humility

These verses explore the internal posture and motivation behind our service, grounding it in love and humility rather than a desire for recognition.

ピリピ2:3-4

「利己的な野心や虚しい思いからは何もしない。 むしろ、謙虚さの中では、自分の利益ではなく、他者の利益のために他人を尊ぶのです。

反射： This passage strikes at the very core of our relational and moral wellbeing. Selfish ambition breeds anxiety and isolates us, whereas genuine humility fosters deep, authentic connection. To intentionally set aside our own agenda and truly see and value another person’s needs is a profound act of love. It reorients our emotional compass from self-preservation to communal flourishing, which is where true and lasting joy is found.

1ヨハネ3:17-18

「もしだれかが物質的な所有物を持っていて、困っている兄弟姉妹を見て、彼らを憐れんでいないなら、どうして神の愛がその人の中にありえようか。 親愛なる子供たちよ、言葉や言葉ではなく、行動と真実で愛し合いましょう。

反射： This is a powerful call to bridge the gap between our internal beliefs and our external behaviors. It suggests that a compassionate impulse that is ignored can create a deep moral and emotional dissonance within us. True love isn’t a passive feeling; it’s an active, engaged empathy. To act on our compassion aligns our hearts with our hands, creating an integrity of self that is foundational to both spiritual maturity and psychological health.

マーク 10:45

「人の子でさえ、仕えられるためではなく、仕え、その命を多くの人の身代金として与えるために来たのです。

反射： This verse presents a paradigm-shifting model of leadership and purpose. In a world that often measures greatness by how many serve us, Jesus redefines it as the willingness to serve others. This posture of servanthood dismantles the ego’s demand for status and replaces it with a mission-driven identity. Finding purpose in service liberates us from the exhausting work of self-promotion and connects us to a legacy of love.

2コリント9：7

「あなたがた一人一人が、自分の心に決めたことを、しぶしぶしぶかしたり、強要したりしないでほしい、なぜなら、神は陽気な贈り物を愛しておられるからです。

反射： This speaks to the immense value of intrinsic motivation. Service or giving that stems from guilt or external pressure often leads to resentment and burnout. But when the choice to give is born from a place of genuine desire and generosity—a “cheerful heart”—the act itself becomes life-giving and joyful. It affirms our autonomy and connects the act of giving to our own will, making it a source of fulfillment rather than a draining obligation.

ヨハネ13:34-35

「わたしがあなたがたに与える新しい命令は、 互いに愛し合いなさい。 わたしがあなたがたを愛したように、あなたがたも互いに愛し合いなさい。 そうすれば、あなたがたが互いに愛し合うなら、あなたがたはわたしの弟子であることを知るであろう。

反射： This verse frames love not as an abstract emotion, but as a core component of our identity and a visible sign of our faith. It is the defining characteristic that makes our community distinct. This visible, active love becomes our witness. On a human level, belonging to a community marked by such mutual care and support is a bedrock of emotional security and psychological resilience.

1 Corinthians 13:3

“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

反射： This is a sobering examination of motive. It’s possible to perform immense acts of service for reasons that are ultimately self-serving—praise, recognition, or even a subtle sense of moral superiority. The verse warns that such actions are emotionally and spiritually hollow. Love is the ingredient that transforms a transaction into a connection. Without it, even the most impressive sacrifice fails to nourish our own soul or the soul of the one we are serving.

Category 2: The Call to Action – Using Our Gifts

These verses are practical calls to action, encouraging us to use our unique talents and resources to meet the tangible needs around us.

1ペテロ4:10

「あなたがた一人一人が受けた贈り物を、神の恵みの忠実な執事として、他の人に仕えるために用いるべきです。

反射： This beautiful verse affirms that every single person possesses unique gifts, framing them as a sacred trust from God. This perspective fosters a strong sense of purpose and self-worth. It moves us away from comparing our abilities to others and toward discovering how our specific talents can be a conduit of grace in the world. Using our gifts in service is a powerful way to live out our purpose, leading to a deep feeling of “rightness” and fulfillment.

エペソ2:10

「わたしたち​は​神​の​手​で​あり，キリスト​イエス​に​よっ​て​創造​さ​れ​て​おら​れ​た​良い​業​を​行なう​ため​に​創造​さ​れ​まし​た。

反射： This verse provides a profound sense of destiny and meaning. The idea that we are masterpieces designed with a purpose can be a powerful antidote to feelings of aimlessness or inadequacy. It suggests that the opportunities to serve that appear in our lives are not random accidents but divine appointments. Engaging in these “good works” is a way of stepping into a pre-ordained narrative, bringing a deep sense of alignment between our life and a grand, cosmic purpose.

マタイ 25:40

「王は、『本当に言っておくが、わたしの最も小さい兄弟姉妹の一人のために何をしたとしても、あなたは私のためにしたのだ』」。

反射： This passage provides the ultimate motivation for compassionate service. It elevates the act of helping the vulnerable from a simple charitable deed to a sacred encounter. By framing service to the marginalized as service to Christ himself, it imbues our actions with immense dignity and significance. This can transform the emotional texture of service, turning what might feel like a thankless or difficult task into an act of intimate worship and love.

ローマ人への手紙第12章6-8節

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in proportion to your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

反射： This verse celebrates the diversity of human talents and personalities within a community. It validates that not everyone is called to serve in the same way, thereby freeing us from the pressure to fit a single mold. Whether our gift is practical service, generous giving, or offering a word of encouragement, each is essential for the health of the whole. This affirmation of our unique contribution is vital for building a healthy self-concept and a thriving, interdependent community.

ガラテヤ5:13

「私の兄弟姉妹たちよ、あなた方は自由であるように招かれました。 しかし、肉をふるうためにあなたの自由を使用しないでください。 むしろ、互いに謙遜に愛し合いなさい。

反射： This verse presents a beautiful paradox: true freedom is found not in absolute independence, but in choosing to bind ourselves to others through loving service. Indulging our every whim often leads to a sense of emptiness and isolation. By contrast, using our freedom to serve connects us to others and to a purpose greater than our own appetites. This choice to serve is the ultimate expression of a mature and liberated will.

箴言3:27

「自分の力で行動する者に善を惜しんではならない。

反射： This is a simple, potent, and practical moral imperative. It confronts our human tendency toward procrastination or apathy. The verse creates a healthy sense of moral urgency, reminding us that we have a responsibility to act when we see a need and have the capacity to meet it. Fulfilling this responsibility brings a sense of personal integrity and peace, while ignoring it can create a quiet but corrosive sense of guilt or regret.

Category 3: The Promise of Service – Perseverance and Reward

These verses offer encouragement for the long haul, addressing the reality of burnout and reminding us that our labor is seen, valued, and has an eternal impact.

ガラテヤ6:9

Let us not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up. 善を行うことに疲れないようにしよう。

反射： This verse speaks directly to the soul-weariness that can accompany even the most meaningful work. It validates the feeling of exhaustion while offering a profound emotional anchor: hope. The promise of a ‘harvest’ isn’t just about a future reward; it’s an invitation to trust in a purpose larger than our immediate fatigue. It reframes our struggle not as a sign of failure, but as the necessary cultivation before a season of profound fulfillment, nurturing our resilience against burnout.

コロサイ3:23-24

「何をするにしても、人の主人のためではなく、主のために働くように、心を尽くして働きなさい。 あなた方が仕えているのは、主キリストです。

反射： This passage reframes our audience. When we volunteer or serve, our ultimate “supervisor” is God. This shift in perspective can be incredibly freeing. It detaches our sense of worth and motivation from the fickle and often unreliable feedback of people. Whether our work is praised or ignored, we can find a stable and enduring sense of satisfaction in knowing we are serving a loving Lord, which builds intrinsic motivation and protects our hearts from disappointment.

ヘブライ人への手紙6：10

「神は不義ではない。 彼は、あなたが彼の民を助けたように、あなたが彼に示した愛とあなたの仕事と愛を忘れることはありません。

反射： This is a deeply comforting promise for anyone who has ever felt their efforts go unnoticed. It speaks to a fundamental human longing to be seen and for our actions to matter. The assurance that God himself remembers our every act of love provides a powerful sense of validation that transcends human recognition. This knowledge can be a wellspring of encouragement, sustaining us through periods when we feel invisible or unappreciated.

箴言 19:17

「貧しい者に親切な者は、主に貸し出し、彼らの行ったことに対して報いられる。

反射： This verse uses the powerful metaphor of a loan to God to illustrate the value of charity. It reframes an act of giving as a secure and meaningful investment. This isn’t a formula for material prosperity, but a profound emotional and spiritual truth: when we give from a place of compassion, the act itself enriches us in ways that far exceed the material cost. It fosters a worldview of abundance rather than scarcity, nurturing a generous and trusting heart.

1コリント15：58

「それゆえ、親愛なる兄弟姉妹よ、堅く立ちなさい。 何も動かさないでくれ。 あなたがたは、主におけるあなたがたの労苦が無駄ではないことを知っているので、常に主のわざに身をゆだねなさい。

反射： This is a powerful call to emotional and spiritual stability rooted in purpose. The assurance that our labor “is not in vain” is the bedrock of perseverance. It counters the despair that can arise when we don’t see immediate results from our service. This conviction allows us to invest ourselves fully and wholeheartedly, free from the anxiety that our efforts might be futile. It builds a resilient faith that can withstand setbacks and disappointments.

マタイ6:3-4

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what thy right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. しかし、貧しい者に与えるときは、右手が何をしているかを左手に知らせてはならない。 そうすれば、秘密のうちになされたことをご覧になっているあなたがたの父は、あなたに報いてくださるでしょう。

反射： This verse challenges the ego’s need for applause. It encourages a form of service so integrated into our being that it becomes second nature, free from self-congratulation. The psychological benefit of this is profound: it purifies our motives, freeing us from the emotional rollercoaster of seeking public approval. The quiet confidence that we are seen by a loving Father provides a much deeper and more stable sense of affirmation than any public praise.

Category 4: The Impact of Service – Identity and Witness

These verses show how our acts of service shape who we are and serve as a powerful witness to the world about the nature of God’s love.

マタイ 5:16

同じように、あなたがたの光を他の人の前で輝かせ、彼らがあなたがたの善行を見て、天におられるあなたがたの父をあがめるようにしなさい。

反射： This verse connects our personal actions to a public, spiritual reality. Our service is not just about meeting a need; it’s a form of non-verbal communication about the source of our hope and love. When we serve with joy and compassion, we become a “light,” making the abstract concept of God’s love tangible and attractive to others. This gives our volunteering a profound evangelistic dimension, adding another layer of meaning to our work.

ヤコブ2:14-17

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

反射： This is a powerful call for psychological and spiritual congruence. It argues that a belief system that doesn’t manifest in behavior is hollow and lifeless. True, living faith is embodied; it feels, it sees, and it acts. Inaction in the face of need creates a painful internal disconnect—what psychologists call cognitive dissonance. Aligning our actions with our stated beliefs heals this rift, leading to an integrated identity and a faith that is robust, authentic, and alive.

ヘブライ人への手紙13：16

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

反射： This verse frames our acts of service as a form of worship, a “pleasing sacrifice.” This elevates volunteering from a social activity to a spiritual one. The feeling of “pleasing God” can be a deep and powerful motivator, tapping into our innate desire for approval and connection with our Creator. It reassures us that our humble efforts to do good and share are not only helpful to humanity but are also received as a beautiful offering by God himself.

タイタス 3:14

「私たちの人々は、緊急の必要性を提供し、非生産的な生活を送らないために、良いことを行うことに専念することを学ぶ必要があります。

反射： This links service directly to a sense of productivity and purpose. The human spirit languishes without a meaningful outlet. The verse suggests that a life devoted to “doing what is good” is the antidote to an “unproductive” or aimless existence. Meeting “urgent needs” gives us a clear mission and a tangible way to make a difference, which is a core component of psychological well-being and a powerful defense against feelings of apathy or despair.

箴言 11:25

「寛大な人は栄え、他人をリフレッシュする者はリフレッシュされる。

反射： This verse reveals a beautiful emotional and spiritual reciprocity. It speaks to the truth that in the act of giving, we receive. Refreshing others—whether through a kind word, a helping hand, or a material gift—has a “boomerang” effect, often refreshing our own spirits. This isn’t a transactional formula, but a description of how spiritually and emotionally healthy systems work. Generosity breaks the cycle of self-absorption and opens us up to a flow of joy and connection.

ルカ 10:33-34

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was. しかし、ひとりのサマリヤ人が旅をしながら、その人のいた所にやって来た。 かれを見た時，かれは哀れみを抱いた。 彼は彼のところへ行き、傷を包帯し、油とぶどう酒を注いだ。 彼はその人を自分のろばの上に置き、宿屋に連れて行き、世話をした。

反射： The story of the Good Samaritan is a masterclass in empathy-driven action. The Samaritan didn’t just feel pity; he allowed that emotion to move him to inconvenient, costly, and personal action. He saw the need, felt compassion, and then closed the distance to help. This narrative challenges us to move beyond passive sympathy and engage in active, compassionate service, reminding us that true help often requires us to get our hands dirty and interrupt our own plans.