Page 15 - The Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2009

There are several governing principles we need to ponder that will determine whether God will indeed say to
each of us, “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23). What is the criteria that determines whether our

servanthood will be deemed (1) “good” and (2) “faithful” in God’s estimation?
Let me suggest seven for your consideration:

1. HUMILITY “... LET NOTHING BE DONE THROUGH SELFISH AMBITION
OR CONCEIT, BUT IN LOWLINESS OF MIND LET EACH
ESTEEM OTHERS BETTER THAN HIMSELF... LET THIS MIND
BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS...HE MADE
HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION...TAKING THE FORM OF A
SERVANT...HE HUMBLED HIMSELF...”
Phil.2:3-8 excerpts

THE MARK OF In the natural realm we could picture a humble servant best with the illustration of a
A SERVANT waiter. I must say that I have experienced some waiters who totally failed to bear any

resemblance to what is described above in Phil. 2:5-8.

However, normally we find that waiters or waitresses know what they are supposed to do. They are to serve,
and serve well, with a good attitude towards what they are doing. There is nothing more pleasant than a waiter
or waitress who does all things well. Needless to say, (but I will) there is nothing worse than a high-minded,
obnoxious person performing with a spirit of duty and drudgery. The same contrasts apply in the spiritual realm
in our service to God. We are to bear the attitude of a servant who functions in lowliness of mind, esteeming
others better than himself, making himself of no reputation by humbling himself. Jesus taught by example in
taking the lowly task of foot washing, thus teaching His disciples how to serve one another. I do not believe He
intended for this to become a church ritual to be literally practiced. Perhaps in today’s society we should wash
one another’s cars as fulfilling the mandate to assume the lowly task. It was an object lesson designed to
convey the essence of servanthood. We should always be quick and ready to do what no one else really wants
to do. This is humbleness of mind. This is esteeming others better than ourselves. It should be practiced in our
homes, in our work places as well as in our churches. Paul states:

“BE OF THE SAME MIND TOWARD ONE ANOTHER. DO NOT SET YOUR MIND ON HIGH
THINGS, BUT ASSOCIATE WITH THE HUMBLE. DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN OPINION.”

Romans 12:16

“SERVANTS, BE OBEDIENT TO THOSE WHO ARE YOUR MASTERS
ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, IN
SINCERITY SINCERITY OF HEART, AS TO CHRIST, NOT WITH EYE SERVICE,
OF AS MEN-PLEASERS, BUT AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST, DOING THE
WILL OF GOD FROM THE HEART, WITH GOODWILL DOING
2. HEART SERVICE, AS TO THE LORD, AND NOT TO MEN,
KNOWING THAT WHATEVER GOOD ANYONE DOES,
HE WILL RECEIVE THE SAME FROM THE LORD...” Eph. 6:5-8

THE MARK OF “SERVANTS, OBEY IN ALL THINGS YOUR MASTERS ACCORDING TO THE
A SERVANT FLESH, NOT WITH EYESERVICE AS MEN-PLEASERS, BUT IN SINCERITY OF
HEART, FEARING GOD. AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT HEARTILY, AS

TO THE LORD AND NOT TO MEN, KNOWING THAT FROM THE LORD
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE REWARD OF THE INHERITANCE; FOR YOU

SERVE THE LORD CHRIST. BUT HE WHO DOES WRONG WILL BE REPAID
FOR THE WRONG WHICH HE HAS DONE...” Col. 3:22-25

Our society does not have a master-servant structure as it existed in Paul’s day. However, the principles from
the above still can be applied. The closest relationship to which these principles apply is that of our work
environment. Most of us are employees of an employer. This is today’s master-servant relationship. God
requires His people to have sincerity of heart in all that they do. We are to serve men understanding that we
are really serving God Himself! If we cheat our employers, we cheat our God. Note that God will repay wrong
as well as right service. God wants His people to be under authority in the workplace, in the church (“Obey
those who rule over you”-Heb.13:7,17), and in society (“Let every soul be subject to governing authorities, for
there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God...”-Rom.13:1). God
will repay for right and wrong done in all these areas of authority.