The need to serve is sinful, unbiblical, wrong.
It is not the same as serving the needy.
This is nothing new. Theologians like Tim Keller has noted this kind of sin. Yet, many, not limited within the Chinese American churches, fall prey to this problem.
The need to serve is a desire to be wanted, but a proud and selfish one. I want people to know that I am good at helping people. I need to show someone I am helpful. I need to show myself. All these place the self in the center.
Those who justify this, their excuses, are in this same pattern: As long as you do something, it is better than not doing anything. But is it really better? Sure it is, because as long as I do something to help, regardless of my pride, my wrong beliefs or the outcome, God cannot punish me. I have put in MY effort and MY time into it, if God not only does not reward me (even though I don't care about rewards), if God has to discredit my effort, then God is not a good God.
There you are, you have your rebellion against God. You judge God according to your standard, not God's.
This sums up the issue.
Serve the Lord with Fear, Rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2)