NEW TESTAMENT GIVING-Part 25

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING – Part 25

Servitude is considered by the natural man as being far beneath the dignity of any respectable human being. Yet the LORD JESUS said, “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45) HE not only taught by words but by HIS example that the greatest in HIS kingdom are those who give of themselves to others.
With this thought in mind we look at Paul’s instruction in I Timothy 6 to those who find themselves in a place of servitude (perhaps not even by their choice). “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” (1Tim.6:1)
Since modern bankruptcy laws have taken away the stigma and risk of being put into servitude because of financial obligations the major avenue where the concept of this sort of “servitude” is now illustrated is in the place of employment. Those who are followers of JESUS CHRIST should be the best employees on earth, for they should do everything in their power to bring honor and profit to their employers and should gladly go about their tasks with a cheerful disposition. If Paul’s instruction is such to those who were pressed into service against their choice how much more ought those who have gladly gone to work for someone for a certain amount of money, to do the same. I believe that if a person finds themselves in a place of employment where they feel they cannot perform those tasks they are being paid to do with utmost diligence and respect for their employers then they should seek employment elsewhere. Otherwise they are sure to bring reproach to the gospel by engaging in “water cooler” discussions of bad working conditions and other disparaging comments and ultimately by poor work habits brought on by their disgruntled mindset.
This is most especially true when their employers themselves are believers, (see v.2). Sometimes those who work for fellow believers think that they should be treated differently and given special privileges than other employees. I have seen some seek to take advantage of their relationship as believers, by taking liberties at their employer’s expense. This is no less than thievery and should not so much as be named among those professing faith. Even greater diligence and effort is due those whom we profess to be brethren with.
Those who deny this principle show themselves to be destitute of truth and captured by their own greed thinking that they can find happiness at the expense of others or that they can be content by having greater amounts of this world’s goods. (see v.3-5)
True contentment is not found nor enhanced by a man’s possessions. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”(1Tim. 6:6) Those who are truly the followers of CHRIST are those whose delight is in following the paths of righteousness that HE has defined regardless of one’s station or circumstances. Paul’s statement, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1Tim 6:8); seems like a foreign concept in this materialistic society in which we live. Not just the world but many who profess to be followers of CHRIST would scoff at such an idea, if propounded openly today. Most so called believers in our day think it is their GOD given right to enjoy a trouble free and comfortable lifestyle. Their thoughts about what they can do to help one another begins only after they have insured their own comforts. May the LORD give us grace to be as the apostle exhorts us to be and deliver us from the spirit of those whose god is their appetite.
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) “(Phil 3:18-19)


(to be continued, DV) mam