What Kind of a Servant Are You?

(photo courtesy of Samantha Campbell)

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

What is a servant? According to the KJV dictionary, one of the meanings for the word “servant” is “a person, male or female, that attends another for the purpose of performing menial offices (services) for him, or who is employed by another for such offices or for other labor, and is subject to his command.” Another definition is “One who yields obedience to another.”

As a servant of God, which I believe encompasses both definitions, what are my responsibilities? I can think of many, such as sharing the gospel, praying, being faithful to getting together with like-minded believers, and the list goes on. But this morning, I was wondering what it was that servants do not do.

I reflected upon the relationship between a servant and a master. Here are some things a servant does not do.

• A servant does not tell the master what to do.
  1. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;” – Ephesians 6:5
  2. The servant is obedient to the master, not the other way around. The servant listens and obeys.
• A servant does not grumble or get angry with the master when there is a job assigned to him/her.
  1. “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;” – Titus 2:9
  2. The servant serves without being argumentative (“answering gain”).
• A servant does not ask the master for food or clothing or shelter; it is provided by the master.
  1. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
  2. A good master takes care of his servants by providing all the necessities of life needed; the servant will be 100% cared for by the master. The servant can rest knowing that no matter the need, the master will meet it and so much more.
• A servant does not ignore the master for any amount of time, whether it be an hour, a day, a week, etc.
  1. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
  2. A servant doesn’t serve when it is convenient to do so; he is always ready and available no matter the hour of the day. His devotion to the master is total. The servant is always attentive 24/7 to the master’s wishes.
• A servant does not think himself more highly than the master.
  1. “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” – 1 Timothy 6:1
  2. The servant honors and respects the master, humbling himself in his service and in his heart.

The question now is, do I exhibit any of these ‘do not’ qualities in regard to my relationship with God? The Scriptures clearly state that believers are to be servants of the Lord. John 12:26 states, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Colossians 3:24 adds, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ,” and as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I must examine my heart continually to be sure it is that of a true servant.

Therefore, my desire is to cast all my cares and concerns upon God because I know He truly cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) and He will take better care of me than I can do myself. To do so, I must remember Psalm 37:3-7, and strive for those qualities in my life.

• “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (He has met my needs.)
• “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (He blesses me with my wants in addition to meeting my every need.)
• “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” (He guarantees a successful outcome to my service.)
• “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (His ways are so much higher than mine, and His timing is perfect for everything in my life.)

My God loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), just as He loves you. How can we not resolve to serve Him as humbly and thankfully as we know how?

Now I resolve with all my heart,
With all my powers, to serve the Lord:
Nor from His precepts e’er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.

O be His service all my joy;
Around let my example shine
Till others love the best employ
And join in labors so divine.

(from “Now I Resolve with All My Heart” by Anne Steele and Lowell Mason)

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” – Psalm 100:2

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What kind of a servant are you?