The Christian life is often “sold” as the solution to earthly problems. Sign up, and all your financial woes, all your relationship troubles, and all the stresses in your life will be solved. The reality is somewhat different. As Paul says in chapter 9 of his first letter to the Corinthians, “Although I was free from being a slave to anyone, I made myself a slave to everyone, to win more of them.” Following Jesus turned him from a free man into a slave.
Many people think that becoming a Christian is about inviting Jesus into your life, so that he can become a factor in your plans for the future. In reality, following Jesus is about him inviting you into his life, so that you can become a participant in his plans for the future. God does care about the details of your life, but his plan for your life is part of his plan for the world, and it involves you doing the serving, not being served.
For many people this is hard to understand, but in God’s economy getting stuff is a form of slavery, while serving others is a form of freedom. The time and effort you spend thinking about and working for yourself, your own needs and desires, and your own entitlements, is time and effort spent in slavery. The time and effort you spend thinking about and working for God’s plan in serving others and bringing about the Kingdom of Heaven is time spent in freedom.