Christian Living

A Useful Hand

by Ezekiel Olukolajo
05/07/25
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A Useful Hand

In life’s unpredictable journey, we often find ourselves navigating bends that require not just our personal strength, but the help of others. It doesn’t matter how great or strong we may be, a time comes in everyone’s life, that we will be in dire need of help that only others can render. Sometimes, the help we desperately need may not arrive dressed in grandeur; sometimes, it comes humbly, in silence, in simplicity, and in sincerity. And sometimes, a hand doesn’t offer what we expect, but what it does offer, it gives fully. That’s what makes it useful.

A few years ago, six or so, my family had to relocate from one city to another. As you might expect, this kind of transition isn't only emotional; it's logistically challenging and, quite frankly, financially demanding. We needed money, vehicles, time, and helping hands. Every item in our home had to be boxed, labeled, lifted, and transported. Every plan had to be made with caution. Amid the hustle, anxiety, and list of needs, one gesture etched itself deeply into my memory.

We were attending a Bible study fellowship, the kind of small, warm circle where people do more than read scriptures - they live them. After one of the sessions, a man - older, not particularly wealthy or physically strong - quietly slipped a folded note into my hand. I thought nothing of it at the time, assuming it might be a prayer request or maybe a piece of advice. But when I got home and opened the note, I was deeply moved. It read: “Ezekiel, I don’t have money to support your relocation, but I can lend my muscles to help carry and load the truck. When you are ready to pack, please let me know.”

No poetic language. No dramatic gestures. Just the raw truth of one man giving what he had, himself. This unassuming note, devoid of grand pronouncements or financial aid, struck a chord deeper than any monetary donation could have. It was a tangible offering, a commitment of self, a declaration that even without material wealth, he possessed something invaluable to contribute: a useful hand.

This seemingly small act illuminates a profound biblical principle, one that resonates throughout the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation: the inherent value and necessity of every member contributing to the body of Christ, each offering their unique "hand" of service. The Apostle Paul, in his accurate analogy of the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12, masterfully articulates this truth. He reminds us that just as a physical body comprises diverse members with distinct functions – the eye sees, the ear hears, the hand works etc. - so too does the spiritual body of Christ. Each believer, regardless of their perceived talents or limitations, possesses a vital role to play.

The Myth of Inadequacy
Too often, we trap ourselves in a lie: “I don’t have enough to give.” Not enough money. Not enough time. Not enough influence, not enough this, not enough that. And so, we give nothing. We often forget that usefulness isn’t about the measure of what you have; it’s about the willingness to give what you do have.

The excuse of "I have nothing to give" simply does not hold water. Everyone possesses something of value, even if it isn't monetary wealth or extraordinary talent. We all have time, energy, skills, empathy, and the capacity for kindness. To claim an inability to contribute is to deny our shared humanity, to abdicate our responsibility as members of a community.

The underlying truth is that usefulness is not about the magnitude of the offering, but the intention behind it.  That man in our Bible Study group, likely in his late sixties, perhaps with his own aches and pains, was offering the only tangible resource he possessed to ease our burden. In that moment, the weight of our impending move felt a fraction lighter, not because a significant financial obstacle had vanished, but because a fellow human being, with no obligation whatsoever, had extended a hand – a useful hand.

Of course, I wasn’t expecting the man to offer what he didn’t possess. He might not have possessed the financial means to ease our burden monetarily. His hand may not have held a checkbook overflowing with funds. Yet, his hand held the promise of physical labor, the willingness to shoulder the weight, quite literally, of our transition. His "muscles," perhaps not as robust as they once were, became his offering, a tangible expression of love and support. He didn’t have to apologize for lacking money. He didn’t excuse himself from helping simply because he was old. Instead, he gave something many people overlook - his presence, his effort, his physical strength. That note he slipped into my hand wasn’t just a message; it was a mission. And true to his words, when the time came, he was there. He lifted, loaded, and labored with the heart of someone half his age and the spirit of someone twice as wise.

The Many Faces of a Useful Hand
The experience shared above beautifully underscores the truth that every hand may not be strong enough to lift physically or financially. We are not all endowed with the same physical prowess or the same capacity for strenuous labor or the same financial ability to support someone economically. Some may have some kinds of limitations or inherent constitution. To expect every hand to lift is not only unrealistic but also misses the point entirely. The essence of service lies not solely in the amount we give or the magnitude of the task we undertake, but in the willingness to offer whatever we have with a sincere heart.

Similarly, every hand may not be tender enough to comfort. The ability to offer solace in times of deep sorrow, to speak words that soothe a wounded spirit, to provide a gentle touch that conveys empathy – these are gifts, often deeply personal and requiring a specific sensitivity. Not every individual possesses this innate capacity to navigate the delicate landscape of another's pain. Some may struggle with finding the right words, while others may inadvertently cause further discomfort. Recognizing this diversity in emotional and relational gifts is crucial.

Furthermore, every hand may not be firm enough to lead or open a door. Leadership requires vision, decisiveness, and the ability to navigate complex situations. Opening doors, both literally and figuratively, often demands specific skills, knowledge, or influence. Not everyone is called or equipped to take the helm, to chart the course, or to unlock opportunities for others. To insist that every hand must lead or open every door is to disregard the unique callings and aptitudes within the body of Christ.

However, the profound and unwavering truth that emerged from the old man's simple note, and echoed throughout the tapestry of scripture, is this: every hand MUST give something and be USEFUL. No excuse, absolutely no excuse!

There is no excuse - absolutely no excuse - for not being useful. We are each endowed with a unique capacity to give. The tragedy is not in lacking money or strength, but in choosing to fold our arms in the face of someone else’s need. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 serves as a stark reminder of this imperative. Each servant was entrusted with a different number of talents, according to their ability. The tragedy lies not in the servant who received fewer talents, but in the one who received even one and buried it, failing to make it useful. His excuse, fear, did not absolve him of his responsibility to utilize what he had been given.

The bible consistently emphasizes the importance of active participation and contribution. Romans 12:6-8 speaks of diverse gifts – prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy – and urges believers to use them diligently. 1 Peter 4:10-11 reechoes this message, stating, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace… whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified ¹ through Jesus Christ."  

The Power of Presence Over Presents
The world teaches us to value gifts that are wrapped and shiny, things that are transactional and quantifiable. But the truest, most transformational gifts are often intangible: time, attention, loyalty, service. These are the gifts that don’t rust, don’t expire, and don’t go unnoticed in the heart of the receiver. That man’s note is long gone now, perhaps tossed out with the moving boxes. But the memory and meaning of it? Imprinted permanently in my heart. He taught me something no sermon ever could: that every person can be useful, must be useful, in some way.

What’s In Your Hand?
Moses stood before God with nothing but a shepherd’s staff. David had only a sling and five stones. The widow in Zarephath had a handful of flour and a little oil. The boy at the feeding of the five thousand had five loaves and two fish. In each case, what they had wasn’t much, but it was useful, and that made all the difference.

You may not have a stage. You may not have any savings. You may not have a long list of influential contacts. But you have something. An ability. A presence. A voice. A heart. A phone. A prayer. A pair of hands. Don’t underestimate them. Use them.

No Excuse, No Exemption
The world doesn’t need perfection. It doesn’t need showiness or eloquence or applause. It needs usefulness. It needs people who understand that impact isn’t about how much you give, but how fully you give what you can. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, visible or hidden, you are needed. Your hand, in whatever form it comes, is needed. It’s time to stop waiting until you have more. Be useful now.

Let the testimony of an old man’s note remind you: sometimes, the smallest gesture is the loudest declaration of love. Every hand may not be strong, or soft, or skilled—but every hand must be useful. No excuse. Absolutely no excuse.

Every Hand Must Be Useful
There are countless ways to be a "useful hand" in the Kingdom of God and in the lives of others. It might be a hand that offers a warm meal, a hand that pens a letter of encouragement, a hand that tends a garden, a hand that rocks a crying baby, a hand that offers a listening ear, a hand that cleans a church pew, a hand that shares a word of wisdom, a hand that prays fervently. The spectrum of usefulness is as broad and diverse as the individuals who comprise the body of Christ.

To claim "no excuse" is not to demand that everyone perform the same tasks or possess the same abilities. It is to assert that within the unique tapestry of our being, woven by God's own hand, lies an inherent capacity for contribution. It is about recognizing our individual gifts, however seemingly small or insignificant, and offering them in service to God and to our fellow human beings.

The world is full of people waiting for the "right time," the "right resources," the "right opportunity." But the Kingdom of God advances through people who say, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8) - people who offer their hand, regardless of how ordinary it may seem.

So what’s in your hand? A broom? A song? A phone call? A truck? Whatever it is, use it.  Be the old man with a note. Be the one who says, “I don’t have everything, but I will give what I have.” Let us examine our own hands. What do they hold? What are they capable of offering? Let us cast aside any excuses that whisper of inadequacy or limitation. For in the eyes of God, every hand that is willingly extended in service, no matter how seemingly small the offering, becomes a vital and beautiful thread in the rich and ever-unfolding tapestry of His Kingdom. Let us all strive to be a useful hand, for in giving, we not only bless others but also fulfill the very purpose for which we were created.

Ezekiel Olukolajo
Contact: [email protected]