Is it a sin to serve others?
This is one of the thorniest issues in today's world. Is baking a cake for a wedding or creating flowers a sin for a wedding, I consider sinful, a sin? The answer to that is yes and no. IF your faith is weak and you believe you would be sinning by baking that cake then for you it would be a sin. In a case like that if the government says you have to bake it and you refuse then take your lumps with a glad heart for it says:
Matthew 5
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
But is doing things for others that is not directly a sin actually sinning? Christ answered that question in Matthew 15. A group of Pharisees and teachers of the law came and complained about the disciples not washing their hands. Christ explained to them that it was what was in a persons heart that caused you to sin. Not outward actions.
In Matthew 5 Christ taught us to serve others and do good to all including those we consider our enemies. It says:
Matthew 5
38 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[h] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you 43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[I] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
So by not baking that cake not only are you ignoring Christ's other commands about doing good to all but you are actually not showing any kind of love just judgmental condemnation. You are actually throwing away a opportunity to witness about Christ. Now if you can witness to them in love, explain that you feel it is wrong for you to do this, and help them find some one to do it for them then I would say that you are also acting in love and still following Christ's command. But again if you get into trouble with the law for it then take your lumps with it and consider yourself blessed.
But wouldn't it be better to just bake the cake in the first place? You're not sinning by doing that as you are not the one marrying them. Your not even participating in it. You are only providing a service to them. You are instilling good will to them and may even end up with a fellow believer as a result.
Which ever way you choose to do it make sure you are convinced in your own mind about it and that you accept and are joyful over the consequences of your decision of it.
