There are different definitions of a servant. I looked up the term
in the Webster's Dictionary and found that there are 6 different types
of a servant.
- "(General Term) Servant: one that serves others, one that performs
duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer.
- Bond Servant: one bound to service without wages. Slave
- Civil Servant: a member of a civil service, a member of the administrative staff of an international agency.
- Fellow Servant: an employee working with another employee under
such circumstances that each one if negligent may expose the other to
harm which the employer cannot reasonably be expected to guard against
or be held legally liable for.
- Indentured Servant: a person who signs and is bound by indentures
to work for another for a specified time especially in return for
payment of travel expenses and maintenance.
- Public Servant: a government official or employee." Webster's Dictionary
Now…I know that some of you are not going to like this, but I
believe that a Christian servant should be a Bond Servant. One that is
willing to serve others without payment.
We should serve others as this scripture tells us.
"Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are
your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as
unto Christ; 6 not in the way of eye service, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: 8 knowing that whatsoever good thing each one does, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free." Eph 6:5-8 (ASV)
Now…many people are confused as to the words "master" and "servant".
I used to be one of them. My ex-husband was very controlling and he
wanted me to be his servant and wait on him hand and foot. This is not
what I am talking about.
I am talking about, for example, seeing someone in distress and
wanting to help them with their situation. Or if someone lost their way
and they need directions to their destination, then helping them would
be a small gesture of kindness with a servant's heart.
When you are willing to help someone without thinking that they own
you something, then that is a servant's heart. Helping someone in need
like helping a child half-way around the world to give them food,
shelter, drinking water, and an education…that is done with a servant's
heart.
But what we need to remember is that being a servant also means to
have respect your authority and to obey them; whether it is your
parents, a policeman or policewoman, your boss, your country's
political leader (US President, etc.), your church leadership (Pastor,
Deacons), and most of all, God, Himself.
It is my belief that we are all servants. Some take that responsibility and others abuse it.
Do you want to be a servant? What about a servant of God? |
