Have you ever sat down to use the bathroom and then discovered an empty toilet roll? Have you issued calls for help for someone to please find a new roll for you? Teaching your children to change the toilet paper roll is an essential part of discipleship. Learning to serve others in the small, unnoticed tasks is one of the most valuable forms of servanthood.
This list of Biblical reasons to change the toilet paper roll is a bit cheeky. (I fully acknowledge that some of the passages are taken way out of context.) However, there is much biblical truth to be found in considering how we serve others in this way. Perhaps some humor will be a catalyst for change. BE THE CHANGE, especially in the bathroom!
Reason #1 The last will be first …to change the roll
“But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Matthew 19:30
Jesus was talking about servanthood here and reminding them that they aren’t about putting themselves first but putting others first. If you are the last one to use the roll, be the first one to change it as a servant to others in your house.
Reason #2 Offer your body as a sacrifice …to change the roll
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
Does it feel like a big sacrifice of time and effort to change the toilet roll right beside you? Offer your body and time as a living sacrifice to serve others. Not to be too cheeky, but one could argue that change the toilet roll could be possibly be considered an act of worship.
Reason #3 The greatest among you …will change the toilet paper roll.
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 23:11
Are you too good to change the roll? Is it someone else’s job? Is it mom’s job??
No one is too important to be exempt from changing the toilet roll. In fact, for Christians, replacing the toilet roll should be considered a sign of greatness!
Reason #4 Change the toilet paper roll… because with the measure you use it will be given back to you!
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
The measure of toilet paper you leave for someone else might just be left for you! Don’t leave just 2 or 3 squares. Leave a good measure for the next person. Make sure that there is plenty of toilet paper in case the next person’s lap is full.
Reason #5 Everyone has the gift of being able to change the roll!
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10
Changing the toilet paper for others is extending grace to them. Thank goodness for God’s varied grace to us. God gives us grace is the big areas of life and in the small areas of life. Let us serve one another with the same thoughtfulness and grace that God extends to us.
Reason #6 To such a Time and Place You Have Been Called
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b
One could argue that God foreknew that you would be the use to use the last of the toilet paper, and has provided you with an opportunity to serve others and to build your character. We all have divine appointments each day to serve others in big and small ways.
Those who are faithful in the small things will be given greater things. Great servanthood starts with changing the toilet paper roll!
Reason #7 Jesus would have changed the toilet paper roll
“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
As Christians, our goal is to be like Jesus. Jesus was the Son of God, and yet he humbled himself and washed the disciples’ feet. He was willing to do the things that servants did in order to love others. Is it too much of an ask, therefore, to change the toilet roll? If Jesus came not to be served but to serve, we too can serve in ways that others consider beneath them.
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Reason #8 Honor others by Changing the Toilet Roll
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10
Changing the toilet roll can be considered a sign of brotherly affection! When we truly love others, we lookout for their good and treat them how we would like to be treated.
Sadly, sometimes we will treat guests with greater honor than we extended to our family. When company comes over, we rush to tidy the bathroom and to pick up the house. We can extend honor to others by treating all people as honored guests and making sure that everything is ready and neat for the next person. (This includes the toilet seat.)
Reason #9 God is Watching You
“For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.” Proverbs 5:21
You may think that what happens in the bathroom stays in the bathroom. God is everywhere. There is no place that we can hide from the view of the Lord. Therefore, even we are alone, we are to do the right thing and to serve others.
After you have changed the Roll, Wash Your Hands…
“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart…” Psalm 24:3-4
We continue to serve others by washing our hands. Washing our hands helps to keep others healthy, which is an act of love. Many times in life true servanthood is not lived out with great heroic deeds of martyrdom. Instead, true servanthood is lived out with the daily, unnoticed acts of love that do not draw attention to ourselves but are noticed by our loving Father.
As Christians, we are called to live out all of our lives intentionally. Even in the small acts of kindness that we show to one another, we are demonstrating Christ’s love for others. Some of the verse may have been a little cheeky… but the truthfulness of the Bible message remains – Be the change, and serve others!
Want help in getting your family to think Biblically about other aspects of family life?
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The voice behind FaithfulMotherhood.com is Jyn. She is a veteran homeschool mom of three. More than just a pastor’s wife, she holds a Master of Divinity degree and has served in church leadership for over 20 years. Her passion is equipping parents to live out their calling as the number one faith influencer for their children. She longs to see moms empowered by God’s Word and transferring that love to their children through daily Bible study and family devotions.
