Day 33 – How a real servant should act

How a real servant should act

In our world today greatness is defined in terms of power, possession, prestige and position; yet being a servant is not a very popular concept of greatness. Jesus however, measured greatness by how many people we serve, and in order for us to be like Him (which is one of the main reason why we were created), we need to be servants, and only through having a servant heart can we implement our shape by being able to find and use our shape for the glory of God. Therefore, since our primary role is in the area we’ve been shaped for, our secondary purpose is to serve where an immediate need is required, as it is possible to serve but not have a servant heart [Matt. 7 vs. 16 - By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?]

Consequently, as servants of God we need:

To make ourselves available to do what’s needed even when it’s inconvenient [2 Tim. 2 vs. 4 - No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer]; and to give God the right to control our schedule and interrupt it whenever He needs to.

Also to pay attention to need, to always be on the look out for ways to help others [Gal. 6 vs. 10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers; Prov. 3 vs. 28 - Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you]

Do our best with what we have, to never procrastinate or wait for better days [Ecc. 11 vs. 4 - Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap]; because God expects us to do the best with whatever we have;

To do every task with equal dedication, regardless of the size of the task [Col. 3 vs. 23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men; Gal. 6 vs. 3 - If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself]. We have seen from Jesus’ example that He specialized in menial task that every one tried to avoid, because nothing was beneath Him as He came to serve, and for this reason He expects us to follow [John 13 vs. 15 - I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you; Acts 28 vs. 3; Luke 16 vs. 10 – 11];

To be faithful in what God has given us to do, in our ministry. This is because as servants we need to be known to finish our tasks and fulfill our commitments. Not to leave a Job half undone, or quit when discouraged. As we are expected to be trustworthy and dependable [Psalm 12 vs.1; Prov. 20 vs. 6 - Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?; Philippians 2 vs. 19 – 22].

Finally to maintain a low profile [1 Pet. 5 vs. 5 - Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"]; Not to turn helping others into a performance [Eph. 6 vs. 6 - Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart; Col. 3 vs. 22; Matt. 6 vs.1]; as real servants don’t serve for the approval or applause of others [Gal. 1 vs. 10 - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ]; And to remember that whenever we find ourselves serving God, He has placed us there for a purpose [Col. 3 vs. 4]; so though we might feel that we are serving in obscurity, our service matters in God’s kingdom as the most significant service is often the service that is unseen [1 Corinth. 12 vs. 22 – 24; 1 Corinth. 15 vs. 58; Matt. 10 vs. 42] .