The word deacon really just means servant or attendant. It was used of somebody who waited on tables or did menial tasks.2 The office of deacon seems to originate from Acts 6:1-6, where the apostles were confronted with the needs of the widows in the community. Deacons excel in serving and therefore the church simply recognizes what God is doing through them. And he calls each of us to serve God and others. Be a witness. If so, God will reward you. Some people always seek to do great things but are never willing to do little things. We also need to dig in to Gods Word regularly to enrich our soil. But as faithful stewards, we must remain accountable and responsible, always striving to do our best for the glory of God. By doing this, we make friends in eternal dwellings who will one day welcome us when we get to heaven. Unfaithful servants do not and therefore shipwreck their faith and others (cf. There seems to be other evidences for deaconesses in the New Testament. In our service to God, we will face challenges and difficulties. Heres another garden analogy for you: When I first started gardening, I was trying to be economical in my plantings. Notice that Jesus doesnt emphasize what is being done, or how much a person has, but what theyve done with what theyve been given. The faithful servant not only hears the actual words spoken by the one they serve but they seek to hear and respond to even the unspoken request. Being faithful is going where and when ones needed. Matt 25:14-30)? This is what the king told his servant: "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! . Joshua was Moses servant before he became Moses successor. They do not take pride in their own accomplishments, but instead give glory to God for any success they may have. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be responsible stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. "What is God's will?" 6 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). I believe the reason Jesus said that we must become as little children to enter the kingdom was because children have special qualities (Matt 18:3). My father-in-law (my go-to gardening guy) once told me that my own gardens growing problems were due to dead dirt. Each year I now dig in some organic mulch and topsoil to my gardens before planting. To learn more, please visit our affiliate information page here. They are the backbone of the churchs ministry, and as Paul says in verse 13, they achieve an excellent standing before God and great assurance in the faith (v. 13). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They are striving to be holy in the area of purity in order to not stumble or cause others to. They are mentioned here alongside the elders in 1 Timothy 3. The Apostle John wrote in the context of Jesus coming, and said, And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming (1 John 2:28). Enter into the joy of your master (Matt 25:23). They knew very little back ", "forgot to address your question, "How do you people dress and feed yourselves?" Five Marks of a Servant Leader | Desiring God Serve others without expecting anything in return. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. Application Question: What faithful women have strongly inspired or challenged your faith and how? I absolutely love flowers. Many times believers only consider their tithe and offering as the Lordsmeaning they can use the rest as they wish. Therefore, the very first way to hear those important words is to be saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) "to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10). Scripture does not forbid drinking alcohol, but it does caution against it and forbid drunkenness. Enter into the joy of your master (Matt 25:23). They are teachable, they are humble, they are meek, and they are like spongessoaking up as much as they can, so when we come to Christ, we are first given the milk of the Word. One of the most important qualities of a good and faithful servant is responsibility. 8 Encouraging Verses of Scripture About Helping Others, 20 Inspiring Bible Verses About Leadership, 17 Encouraging Bible Verses About Resilience, What is the Meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed, 20 Encouraging Bible Verses About Community and Fellowship, 20 Bible Verses About Being a Woman of God. If you are abiding in Christ, you will be available for Christ. Humility involves putting others before ourselves and being willing to serve in whatever capacity is needed. I realize that there is no gift for emptying diaper pails, changing diapers, and feeding babies, but not one person offered to help, even though they only needed them for half an hour. Everything is permissible for mebut I will not be mastered by anything (NIV 1984). Abraham could have called Eliezer who was the eldest servant of his household to go and seek a wife for his son, Isaac, because he could have trusted him. The Apostle Paul calls himself a bondslave of Jesus Christ (Rom. It involves being trustworthy, responsible, and dedicated to serving God and others. Jesus taught the importance of faithfulness in the parable of the talents. Are you running your household well? Unlock the Secrets in This Comprehensive Guide, Do You Have to Be Baptized to Go to Heaven? Exploring the Link, Is Gods Love Unconditional? Where faithful servants are serious about the faith, unfaithful ones are not. One who faithfully manages resources according to biblical principles. Maybe youre a mature plant, ready to go. Through prayer, study, and service, you will be able to learn how to live a life of service and devotion to God. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "kfox1973-20"; For them, both the elder and the deacon offices are reserved for men. Learn how your comment data is processed. We must also be willing to share the gospel and make disciples, even if it means facing challenges or suffering. A faithful Christian servant is patient to serve everyone, even when they are not ready to be served. And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you. By keeping a godly life and true doctrine, Timothy would save himself and those who listened to him. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8). There really wasnt a lot that I could do physically, which left me feeling like a useless instrument, a sure disappointment to God, and this deep wound would take years to correct and heal. Get professional Bible Software For Free Here! How have you experienced greater boldness in the faith, as a result of faithful service? The primary difference is that the elders need to be able to teach (v. 3). (Luke 1:26-38), Paul served God faithfully by preaching the gospel wherever and whenever the Lord directed him. That means more for someone else to do, so just showing up is essential to being a faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your lord. This verse highlights the importance of being a faithful servant, and there are several qualities that we should strive to embody in order to be considered good and faithful servants. If we make ourselves available, well be more faithful, but the world competes with our time and resources. I planted them as directed, and sure enough! Consider these verses: One should think about us this wayas servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. It literally can be translated a one-woman man. If they are married, they must be faithful to their wife. As we consider them, we must remember that God has called all of us to be faithful servants and that one day, he will reward the faithful (Matt 25:23). The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Are you walking in holiness with the opposite sex in word, mind, and deed? Both elders and deacons need to be people of character. He wants to use you, refresh you, and help you grow. When Mary said this, she knew she would pay a great price. (A. Farstad, Ed.) Let it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:38). Those who hold this position typically would not accept female deacons. In 1 Timothy 3:12, he says, Deacons must be husbands of one wife As mentioned before with elders, this does not refer to ones marital status. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon. Jesus, though he was God himself incarnate, submitted himself completely to the will of his Father, becoming a servant, a willing slave, the very incarnation of love itself. I ordered bags of mixed bulbs and was amazed at what grew over the spring and summer. As we consider the office of a deacon and a deaconess, we must be reminded that Christ, our Lord, did not come as a king, but as a servant. Christ incarnated as he took on flesh. The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. You dont have to look far to find out what we are commanded do (Matt 25:35-36; James 1:27). They are not drawn to any excesses that might dull their spiritual discernment. Are we willing to serve where help is needed, and just only where we prefer or feel comfortable? A faithful servant learns from the Master, so more time spent with the Master and His Word, the more you will naturally want to serve Christ (Matt 25:35-36, 40). This helps us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and His Word, but the beautiful thing about the Bible is, its shallow enough for a child to wade into without fear of drowning, but its deep enough for theologians to swim around in, and yet never touch bottom. There is no trivial servant who has so little that he or she could still not be faithful. The Qualities Of A Servant In The Bible: Becoming A Servant Leader In order to become loving servants, we need to be nourished by the love of God. Loving without condition is risky. In this parable, a master entrusted his servants with different amounts of money while he went away on a journey. Understanding the Role of a Good and Faithful Servant - Viral Believer Application Question: Why is it so common for spiritual leadership to neglect their family for ministry? Patient, kind, long-suffering, forgiving, he gave himself for us. Characteristics of a Good and Faithful Servant: Traits to Look for in a Loyal Employee or Volunteer. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Does your stream feel like a mere trickle? Each of us has at least one spiritual gift. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! (Phillipians 2:6-8). These are qualities of faithful servants, whether official or unofficial. Its a battle of the flesh verses the Spirit. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. We all like to be liked, but thats not what were called to. In the book of Romans, Paul urges the Gentiles to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their reasonable service. Now that you know the basics, how do you picture yourself in the garden? Been there too! They dont try to cover up their faults or blame others for their failures. Without enough sunlight, the plant becomes weak and spindly and produces fewer flowers/fruit. No doubt, we see both of these rewards in the narrative of the first deacons in Acts 6. Characteristics of a Faithful Servant in the Bible - Viral Believer By cultivating this quality in our own lives, we can be effective stewards of Gods resources and fulfill our responsibilities as faithful followers of Christ. There is some controversy over this text. Remember that we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10). A Faithful Servant is Obedient We must not become proud or arrogant in our positions of leadership, but instead, we must serve with a meek and gentle spirit, following the example of Jesus. If you are abiding in Christ, you will be available for Christ. One person that doesn't show up is one person who won't serve, so just showing up is essential to being a faithful servant. Before selecting deacons, they must be observed and found blameless in their previous service. Serving means doing.. Then only a couple the next time, but after only 3 weeks, I was all alone in doing this. Sadly, in many churches, instead of recognizing Gods work in people, they put people in an office with the hope they will step up and become servants. This would be especially important because deacons often handled the money in the early church. Certainly, we have a great example of this in Christ. In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus teaches us about responsibility. His heart quickly fills with the Lord's Love and pours out to those around him. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. What It Means To Be A Faithful Servant - The Odyssey Online Working on the side to support yourself is unacceptable to this board. 4 Characteristics of a Faithful Servant - Faith in the News They are sincere in their communication and others sense that. At the beginning of that verse, Jesus says we are to come to him to drink. How to be a Good and Faithful Servant of God: Practical Tips for Living a Life of Service and Devotion. To those who are faithful, he gives true riches. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Enter into the joy of your master, And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that, I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them, 5 Signs God isTrying to Get Your Attention, 7 Signs God Is Pushing You Into Something Awesome, 8 Things The Bible Says Will Happen Before Jesus Returns Again, 4 Things To Do When Financial Trouble Comes, 5 Important Qualities Of A Christian Mother. There are many similarities between great flower gardens and the great qualities of a faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Humility is the opposite of pride, which is considered a sin in Christianity. but not ", 4 Characteristics of a Good and Faithful Servant. It refers to all New Testament doctrine but especially to the gospel. So, what exactly are the characteristics of a faithful servant? A humble servant is also willing to admit their mistakes and shortcomings. Thanks Angie! The light from the sun gives plants the energy to make their own food (remember photosynthesis from science class?) Show humility. Unfaithful servants live in discord, waste time and the Masters resources. Abraham was willing to sacrifice what was most precious to him, his home, even his beloved son, to follow God and trust in His plans. As we take in his light, we have the energy we need to produce fruit in the service to others. As Christians, we are called to serve others and to be faithful stewards of the gifts and resources that God has given us. There are no possessive pronouns connecting the women to the deacons. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Sexual impurity is a tremendous stronghold that destroys the witness and ministry of many Christians. A Discipling Teacher (2:1-2) Timothy is told to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2:1). First Timothy 3:16 (NIV) says. 27. Attributes of Godly Soldiers | Bible.org 8 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). |, Well done, good and faithful servant. Someone who believes they dont have the gift of helps has no excuse when they refuse to hold the door open for the lady behind them. We have difficulty giving ourselves to the needs of others. Lets look at a few basic components that make great flower gardens and faithful servants: Great garden soil needs to be full of nutrients. What does it mean to be a faithful servant of God? When Jesus said to take up our cross and follow him, he was asking us to count the cost because he knew there would be one. It refers to secrets in the Old Testament that were more fully disclosed in the New. A Faithful Servant - Daily Devotionals He cared for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and ultimately died for all. Num.12:17. (Matthew 20:25b-27) When I look at them, I see Gods hand in the beauty of our world. Wherever we put our money reveals our heart and true passion. Do you really care about their well-being? I believe that Jesus will say well done, good and faithful servant for being faithful in the things that He command us to do, and those things are revealed in Scripture (i.e. Qualities of a Good and Faithful Servant: Key Traits to Look For Listen to others and value their opinions and perspectives. Are you faithfully using your gifts to serve others? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. We need to be rich in the nutrients of Gods word, tap into the streams of living water, and turn to Jesus to energize us. Is the Lords applause enough? We must know what our gifts are and employ them in service to Christ and his church. Jesus spoke about money more than heaven or hell, which means it is of great importance to him. Application Question: What are some other characteristics of faithful servants? True servants are willing to perform both great and menial tasks. 2, p. 222). Love is patient, love is kind. Then we too will have deep roots and our garden of service will be bountiful. How is God calling you to live in a more reverent manner? As we close, lets consider a few more characteristics of faithful servants. But what does it mean to be a good and faithful servant? Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as the Faithful Servant Hall Of Fame because it lists men throughout history who God commended for their faithfulness. The way they seek to obey and honor Christ creates a sense of awe or reverence in those watching. Again, this is not only true about the spiritual leaders of the church. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. One important quality of a good and faithful servant is humility. But she trusted Gods purposes for her, no matter the cost. Matt 25:35-36, 28:19-20;James 1:27, etc.). Instead, they put others before themselves and serve them with love and compassion. Here are some practical ways to cultivate humility in your life: In conclusion, humility is an essential quality for any Christian servant. letting the Holy Spirit nourish your roots. This is a characteristic of all faithful servants. A servant leader seeks the glory of his Master. Jesus said, "The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood" ( John 7:18 ). The master in the parable entrusts his servants with different amounts of talents, and he expects them to use those talents wisely and to produce a return on his investment. (p. 2088). All Rights Reserved. Introduction Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy that places the needs of others above one's own needs. ), but just because an opportunity is good, doesnt mean its ours. 1 Corinthians 13 is clear that no matter what our giftings or areas of service, if not motivated by genuine love, we are but a clanging noise. Love this! The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. Like flowers, we each have our own God-given beauty and individual characteristics and gifts. First a servant, then a ruler.8. Im not a sailor, but I do know how to throw a lifesaver to a drowning person. You might consider these the 7 ways God will evaluate your faith and faithfulness! Four Essential Qualities of a Godly Servant - Spiritually Grounded Whereas in some countries it might be perfectly all right for a Christian to drink wine without having any adverse effect on his testimony, in other countries it might cause an unbeliever to stumble, should he see a Christian indulging in wine. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. One day he noticed that Jake wasnt around, so he asked the proprietor, Wheres Jake? Oh, Jake retired, the proprietor answered. While each of these faithful servants is different in their own ways, they all share certain qualities or characteristics that set them apart from everyone else. 1. deaconesses), as in the NIV 2011? Here is a wonderful list of faithful servants in the Bible. If theyre not planted, they cant bloom. In addition, 1 Timothy 3:12 says that deacons must be good managers of their children and their own households. As with the elders (v. 4-5), faithfulness at home is a proving ground for ministry. Your servant's heart is revealed in little acts that others don't think of doing. Saving the best for last, Jesus was undeniable, the clearest and most beautiful example of true servanthood we have to emulate. Application Question: How can we grow in financial faithfulness? In fact, Stephen demonstrated tremendous boldness as he rebuked the Jews and the Sanhedrinleading to his martyrdom (Acts 7). Serving God in whatever form must be motivated by love. Overall, the qualities that should be looked for in a loyal employee or volunteer are those of a good and faithful servant. All are called to serve but some are called to serve in an official capacity as deacons. As we strive to embody these qualities, we can bring glory to God and fulfill our purpose as servants of Christ. The servants who invest their talents and earn a return are praised by the master, while the one who buries his talent is rebuked.
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