Yahushua was the ultimate example of a servant. He set before us a principle of righteous servanthood that we should be heeding in all places at all times:
Matthew 20:25- But Yahushua called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 – But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 – And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 – Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This is the challenge set before us. Are you one in authority? Are you a boss at work, a minister or elder in authority or are you the husband of your household? Are you a parent? If so, this principle is for you! This is the very heart of Yahushua’s works and deeds on earth.
John 13:3- Yahushua knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from YAHWEH, and went to YAHWEH; 4 – He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 – After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 – Then cometh he to Simon Kepha: and Kepha saith unto him, Rabbi, dost thou wash my feet? 7 – Yahushua answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 – Kepha saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Yahushua answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 – Simon Kepha saith unto him, Rabbi, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 – Yahushua saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 – For he knew who should betray him; 12 – So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 – Ye call me Master and Rabbi: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 – If I then, your Rabbi and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Yahushua calls to us!
John 12:26- If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
We MUST serve Him. This is a commandment. But are we His servant? What does it mean to serve? What does it mean to work? Are we supposed to ‘get out of work’ as much as possible or create work for ourselves to do? Yahweh has had man working since the beginning of Creation. Yahweh created man to work, though it was always a pleasurable task at first.
Genesis 2:15- And YAHWEH Elohim took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
This was Adam’s work. He did not create Adam to be sitting idle, walking around the garden..but to dress it and keep it. After the fall into sin, Yahweh saw to it that working would not always be pleasurable:
Genesis 3:17- And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the day of thy life; 18 – Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 – In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Despite this, work is often a very pleasurable thing. At least, it does bring reward. Here are some examples in the scriptures of great workers and servants of Yahweh.. Joseph was notable:
Genesis 39:1- And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 – And YAHWEH was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 – And his master saw that YAHWEH was with him, and that YAHWEH made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 – And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 – And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that YAHWEH blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of YAHWEH was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 – And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
Could not Yahweh bless our work, our jobs also and thereby make those whom we do work for blessed? I believe it should be so…if Yahweh is with us. The Egyptian saw that Yahweh was with Joseph and made him master of all that he had. Consider the parable also of Yahushua:
Matthew 25:14- For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 – And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 – Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 – And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 – But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his master’s money. 19 – After a long time the master of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 – And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, master, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 – His master said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy master. 22 – He also that had received two talents came and said, Master, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 – His master said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy master. 24 – Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Master, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 – And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 – His master answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Brothers and sisters, we do not want to be the slothful servant of Yahweh!!! The wickedness of the servant is also demonstrated by his unfaithfulness and his false and slanderous excuses.
Matthew 25:27- Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
The man could have at least given something to those who WOULD work and make good of what Yahweh has given this man.
Matthew 25:28- Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 – For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We must take what Yahweh has given us and do good works with it. Yahweh has not called us to be unprofitable servants. Another excellent example of a good worker and servant was Daniel.
Daniel 6:3- Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 – Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 – Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his Elohim.
So what was it about these men that made them such great workers and servants? Here are a few characteristics that I believe they had…. First, they always dealt honestly and were diligent..sharp:
Proverbs 10:4- He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
The definition of the Hebrew word translated “slack”:
07423 r@miyah {rem-ee-yaw’} from 07411; 1) laxness, slackness, slackening, deceit, treachery
and the definition of the Hebrew word translated ‘diligent’
02742 charuwts {khaw-roots’} or charuts {khaw-roots’} 1) sharp-pointed, sharp, diligent
They were certainly not lazy in their work.
Proverbs 13:4- The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 6:6- Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 18:9- He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Wherever we work, we need to treat it as if we are working for Yahweh:
Colossians 3:22- Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing YAHWEH: 23 – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to YAHWEH, and not unto men;
This word “heartily” literally means ‘Out of your Soul.” Does this sound familiar?
Deuteronomy 6:4- Hear, O Israel: YAHWEH is our Elohim, YAHWEH is one: 5 – And thou shalt love YAHWEH thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
“With all thy soul!” When we work in this manner, the next verse in Colossians says that Yahweh will reward us for working in this way:
Colossians 3:24- Knowing that of YAHWEH ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve Yahushua the Messiah. 25 – But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
More verses:
Ephesians 6:5- Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to the Messiah; 6 – not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of the Messiah, doing the will of YAHWEH from the heart, 7 – with goodwill doing service, as to YAHWEH, and not to men, 8 – knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from YAHWEH, whether he is a slave or free.
And yet more scriptures..
1 Timothy 6:1- Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of YAHWEH and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 – And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 – If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Master Yahushua the Messiah, and to the doctrine which is according to reverence;
And more scriptures:
Titus 2:7- In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 – Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 – Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 – Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of Elohim our Saviour in all things.
Purloining meaning, setting back…keeping back things for yourself. This is not unlike the parable of the lazy servant who kept back the talent.
1 Peter 2:18- Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 – For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward YAHWEH one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 – For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before YAHWEH. 21 – For to this you were called, because the Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 – “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 – who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 – who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed. 3:1 – Wives, likewise, [be] submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 3:2 – when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
We are servants of Yahweh:
Psalms 123:2- Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon YAHWEH our Elohim, until that he have mercy upon us. 3 – Have mercy upon us, O YAHWEH, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Proverbs 27:18- Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Yahushua asked:
Matthew 24:44- Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 – Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 – Blessed is that servant, whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing.
Here are some more scriptures:
1 Corinthians 4:2- Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Hebrews 3:5- And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,
Romans 12:10- Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving YAHWEH;
Please seek out the context of these.
2 Thessalonians 3:10- For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 – For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 – Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Master Yahushua the Messiah, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
We should not be busybodies at work, but work with quietness and faithfulness.
1 Thessalonians 4:9- But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of YAHWEH to love one another. 10 – And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 – And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 – That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
Now although Yahweh does want His people to work, He understands fully our need for rest. There is one day that we are commanded to rest from our labours.
Exodus 20:8- Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 – Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 – But the seventh day is the sabbath of YAHWEH thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 – For in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YAHWEH blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Even Yahweh rested on the 7th day as an example for us. Yet Yahushua said:
Mark 2:27- And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 – Therefore the Son of man is master also of the sabbath.
The ruling class in Yahushua’s day did not like Yahushua doing the works of Yahweh on the Sabbath.
John 5:14- Afterward Yahushua findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 – The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Yahushua, which had made him whole. 16 – And therefore did the Jews persecute Yahushua, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 17 – But Yahushua answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
But doing works of Yahweh on the Sabbath is often part of keeping it holy. The Priests in the temple did the works of Yahweh on the Sabbath yet were blameless. I believe that we also are blameless if we are doing Yahweh’s work on the Sabbath. But that is a whole other subject 🙂 One thing that we all MUST realize is that we are We are servants of the Most High!! We don’t work for the world, but for HIM! We must always work faithfully at His work and not our own! If we are idle, we are on dangerous ground!! Idleness is dangerous. Idleness often breeds sin.
Ezekiel 16:49- Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Do we wish to become like Sodom? Do we wish to become like Gomorrah unto Yahweh? Certainly not! We can’t waste time anymore brothers and sisters..time is short! We need to purify ourselves as the pure bride for the Lamb is coming for the marriage feast SOON! If our works are small, Yahweh knows how to make them great! We see endless examples of this in scripture..a lowly fisherman..a lowly shepherd boy..the list goes on and on. Yahweh can do great things with the least of all! Let’s go out and work for Yahweh. Any other work will be burned up!!!
1 Corinthians 3:10- According to the favor of YAHWEH which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 – For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yahushua the Messiah. 12 – Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 – Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 – If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 – If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2 Peter 3:10- But the day of YAHWEH will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Whatever work is not from Yahweh will be burned. It is all waste and void..therefore let us work for things that are eternal! Let’s build our houses upon the ROCK..lest when the storms come, our foundation would crumble. If these things convict you, by all means repent of your ways and walk in HIS ways, HalleluYah! For His ways are greater than our ways..and His works greater than our own. It is my prayer that we can always learn to work hand in hand, side by side…with each other building up the body.
Matthew 9:37- Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 – Pray ye therefore the Master of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10:2- Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Master of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3 – Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
The harvest is plenteous and great..are you a laborer?