Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. – Ephesians 6:7
Biblical servant-leadership is something we need to strive for in all areas of our lives. So today, I want to provide some guidelines for understanding a biblical picture of faithful servanthood within the community of Israel.
- The faithful servants of Israel cared about those they served, and constantly sought new and better ways to serve them.
- Faithful servants developed new skills to better serve.
- Faithful servants did all they could to build the esteem and prestige of those they served; and this prestige, in turn, brought the servant prestige as well. He took great pride and honor in his role as a bondservant. And he, though perhaps wise in his own right, treated the thoughts and opinions of those he served as being as valuable as his own.
- Faithful servants performed menial, thankless jobs in order to make room for those they served to exercise their gifts. The servant made allowances for the weaknesses of those he served as if they were his own. And in that way, he actively protected them from shame.
- A faithful servant didn’t dawdle in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation when his own sin caused any damage or shame to those he served.
Not a bad life, actually. Of course, to us Americans, this scenario may seem a bit strange. You might ask, “Who’d ever surrender his freedoms to enter such a relationship?” But, in fact, you did—when you accepted the Lordship of Christ in your life. You serve him by serving others.
– Steve Arterburn
Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. – Albert Einstein
The humblest occupation has in it materials of discipline for the highest heaven. – Frederick W. Robertson
