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I would say that there may be no difference between the two, but that, where a difference would exist, it would be in the attitude or intentions of the person performing the service. A person can certainly minister to both people and God (even if not being aware of simultaneously doing so) by performing actions of the type described by Jesus in Matthew 25:34-36 out of genuine love and concern for others. (Note that the people to whom Jesus will say these words will not be aware of having ministered to Jesus Himself, but Jesus will inform them that their service to other people was the same as ministering to Him.) On the other hand, Jesus also said (Matthew 7:23) that He would tell many others who could point to actions that they had taken, such as prophesying or casting out demons in His name, that He had never known them, because (in my opinion) they had done it for their own glory or acclaim, rather than as a service to God or to others, or for the sake of carrying out His will.
My simple answer is this: There is really no difference in the context of what God tells us in His Holy Word, The Bible. Ministering to people, in the eyes of God is the same as "ministering to Him". As Jesus was quoted, "For as ye have done unto the least of these, ye have done unto me". We, as followers and believers in Christ are instructed to "go ye into all the world, witnessing to all by His eternal grace and mercy, making disciples of many, all IN the blessed name of Jesus" We are to do this all the while by doing and helping others in His blessed name. "We are to be about doing the work of the Lord..." --Andy--
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