“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.”

God’s clear purpose in instructing Christ is shared here, and it applies to our lives as well. The word ‘that’ introduces a purpose clause, emphasizing the reason God gives us wisdom–“that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.” These words urge us to examine our motivation for learning. While education has become very popular, the motives behind learning have often become corrupted. Sadly, many are not learning to serve but to get. They ask, “What can I get out of these studies?” If we lack the proper motive for learning, we can quickly become prideful and self-sufficient. This is typical of our post-modern society because, overall, we have not taken warning. Below are some key points.

A disciple serves others.

Genuine spirituality manifests in our daily lives. Some might associate spirituality with studying God’s Word or discussing theology, but ultimately, there must be a special fruit that becomes clear. This fruit ripens and is harvested, so to speak, through acts of kind service to others. This outcome is the purpose of learning. God is ultimately training us not for our benefit, but so we can join Him in meeting the needs of others. John said, “If we love one another, God abides in us” (1 John 4:12). Those who follow Jesus must focus on serving others, not themselves.

His life purpose is to serve.

In our modern education system, we’ve analyzed everything about the learning process. People are always searching for new theses to write to earn their degree! One area that has been overlooked is the motivation for learning. I'm not saying there are no studies on motivation or ways to get students motivated. What I mean is that no one seems to write about inspiring students to get excited about doing what God has given them to do, which is caring for the needy.

Our learning and gifts must be rooted in serving others, not in ourselves. It is much more common to take a management course where we learn to have others serve us. God has given each of us the ability to inquire so that we can grow in knowledge and skills for the benefit of others. I am amazed that so many Christian parents have devoted themselves to pursuing ungodly goals. Whenever our motivation serves only our immediate desires, we can see that we are corrupting the learning process. The Dead Sea has no life. It receives plenty of input, like the Jordan River, but has no outlets. Nothing can grow in the Dead Sea. Our dead lives are revived when, through faith in Jesus, we receive His lifeblood and purpose in us and follow His example of serving others.

His motivation for training is service.

The success of our intimate times with God depends on understanding and fulfilling our purpose in life. If we remain self-focused, it shows we haven't truly died to ourselves and that we lack a heart like Jesus. If our focus is on “I want” or “…for me,” we won’t seek or inquire about God’s ways. Instead, we become convinced and committed to misuse all that God has given us in a selfish and distorted manner. God doesn’t only want your tithes but also your hearts.

Each of us must examine not only how God has gifted us but also understand the ‘why.’ We need to realize that, ultimately, it is for others — not for ourselves — that God equips us. He made us for ‘good works’ which He has foreordained (1 Tim 6:18). This is evident in Jesus, who died to Himself and lived for others. When the Father asked Jesus to give His life, He returned to His purpose of living — to do His Father’s will — and gave what was necessary. Do you recall what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1? Paul uses the example of Christ and draws an important conclusion about life from it. Since our purpose is to serve, our experiences in life sometimes need to be rigorous and challenging so that we can become active ministers to others.

“But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer” (2 Corinthians 1:6).

We focus on strengthening weak ones.

Jesus is much like a doctor who cares for the sick. He went to those who needed help. If we find that those we are ministering to do not want our help, turn around until you find someone who does desire that help.

The faithful disciple knows His Father never makes a mistake regarding the trials he must go through. He endures them because he has confidence that through them, he can bring more significant help to others.

We get the words we need from the Father.

Education claims it can give you what you need to live good lives. God says that is all foolish. Christ got His words from the Father and became the wisest and most helpful (with no tuition bills!). We are fools if we think we can take a class on anger management and believe that is all there is to it. We are involved in spiritual warfare and need to pray and carefully use the Word of God. We need to regularly meet with God so that we will have the message He wants for the brokenhearted.

Summary

Jesus’ purpose was to learn so He could help the needy. Many learn for wrong reasons like reputation, knowledge, money, or fun. Christ’s life goal was to serve. Because of this, He was learning to become more effective in His service. Isaiah 50:4 captures this idea. Most people, however, learn and live to get. Notice these selfish and dull examples of life.

• I go to work to make money.

• I work hard to get a raise.

• I watch a movie to be entertained.

• I wash clothes to finish up the housework.

Once we shift our goals to serving, our lives suddenly become a mission. We no longer work just to earn and spend money, but to use it to serve others properly. If we watch a film, it would be to share the gospel with a friend for a higher purpose. We wonder, pray, and seek God through His Word and the world. We seek Him so we can make a difference for others. It involves not just our knowledge and skills but our entire lives. It relates to the size of our savings, the kind of vehicle we have, and how we spend our time and money.

Learning is only valuable when we have hearts to serve!

How much time have you truly spent in prayer and reading to understand God’s purpose for your life? How deeply do you care about the people He has called you to serve? Do you sincerely care for them? Oh, that we might take the precious gifts God has given us and turn them into spiritually uplifting gold, silver, and diamond gifts for others!