The reason for believers taking this risk is wrapped up in the significant word - encouragement.
Some try to use the word - serving - as a contemporary synonym for this because it is about generously responding to other people's needs - thus encouraging them. However, encouragement has a subtle nuance that goes beyond the concept and motivation of serving others.
Encouragement, as fellowship, requires time spent together. It's the act of inspiring others with renewed courage, spirit or hope. In humility, each of us must come to the point where we acknowledge we need massive doses of it regularly.
“One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement…It is easy to laugh
at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers.
We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many times a word of praise
or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the
man who speaks such a word.”
–The Letter to the Hebrews, William Barclay
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