Topical Bible: Servants: when Good: Deserve the Confidence of Their Masters

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In the biblical context, the role of a servant is multifaceted, encompassing both the duties of service and the moral and spiritual qualities that define a good servant. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that highlight the virtues of good servants and the trust they earn from their masters.

Biblical Examples of Good Servants:

1. Joseph in Potiphar's House: Joseph is a quintessential example of a servant who earned the confidence of his master. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph served in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. His integrity and diligence were evident, as Genesis 39:4 states, "Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned." Joseph's faithfulness and competence led to his elevation within Potiphar's household, demonstrating that a good servant earns trust through consistent and righteous behavior.

2. Eliezer, Abraham's Servant: Eliezer, the chief servant of Abraham, was entrusted with a critical task: finding a wife for Isaac. In Genesis 24, Eliezer's loyalty and wisdom are evident as he faithfully executes Abraham's instructions. His prayerful approach and reliance on God's guidance underscore the spiritual qualities that make a servant trustworthy. Eliezer's success in his mission reflects the confidence Abraham had in him, rooted in his proven character and devotion.

3. The Faithful Servant in Jesus' Parables: In the New Testament, Jesus often used parables to illustrate the qualities of a good servant. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servants who wisely invest their master's resources are commended and rewarded. The master says to them, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). This parable emphasizes that good servants are those who are diligent, responsible, and faithful, deserving of their master's trust and confidence.

Qualities of Good Servants:

1. Faithfulness: A good servant is characterized by unwavering faithfulness. Proverbs 25:13 states, "Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters." Faithfulness involves reliability and consistency in fulfilling one's duties, which in turn earns the master's trust.

2. Integrity: Integrity is a cornerstone of a good servant's character. Servants who act with honesty and moral uprightness are more likely to gain the confidence of their masters. Proverbs 11:3 affirms, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them."

3. Diligence: The Bible extols the virtue of diligence in service. Proverbs 22:29 observes, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." Diligence in one's duties not only leads to personal advancement but also fosters trust and respect from those in authority.

4. Wisdom and Discretion: Good servants are wise and discreet, knowing how to handle situations with prudence. Proverbs 14:35 notes, "A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful." Wisdom enables a servant to make sound decisions that benefit both the master and the household.

Theological Implications:

The relationship between a master and a good servant in the Bible often mirrors the relationship between God and His people. Just as earthly masters place their trust in faithful servants, God entrusts His followers with responsibilities in His kingdom. The qualities that define a good servant—faithfulness, integrity, diligence, and wisdom—are also the qualities that God desires in His servants. As believers strive to embody these virtues, they reflect the character of Christ, the ultimate Servant, who came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28).

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 24:2,4,10
And Abraham said to his oldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray you, your hand under my thigh:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 39:4
And Joseph found grace 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... are undutiful to their parents, they deserve to be ... the wife over the servants, the
servants again over ... For wickedness is contrary to good, and light drives ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

The Fourth Book
... a master when he had done so much for his wicked servants. ... We, of course, do not
think we deserve them, and ... had either the heat and faith of good Christians or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

Jer. 6:16 the Good Way.
... They worked under immense difficulties, and deserve tender judgment and ... "Who will
show us any good?" is the ... among masters as well as among servants, among rich ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter v jer 6 16 the.htm

The Meek and Lowly One
... If they had degrees who deserve them, diplomas should often be ... with him, and trying
to do him good; but I ... We, who are the servants of Christ, have attempted to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

The Third Book
... God bade his servants keep all scandal from their sight altogether ... them can be saved
by a very few good men, when ... who were close to God, did not deserve of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the third book.htm

Sanctification.
... old men shall dream dreams; and on my servants, and on ... objections are doubtless honestly
felt, and deserve to be ... objection has been urged by some good men, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xl sanctification.htm

Matt. xviii. 7
... doth despite to thee: for all these deserve to be ... that neither to Him doth it seem
good that one ... passions from her, and are careful about house and servants. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lix matt xviii 7.htm

Miracles Granted to the Prayer of Friends.
... He might deserve reproof, but even reproof has its season ... institution in parting
with which something good was not ... There are fewer free servants that love their ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vi miracles granted to the.htm

Messiah's Easy Yoke
... " I have a good hope, that ... Christians, Jesus is our Master, our Lord, and we are
His servants. ... furnished, nor so free from mistake, as to deserve our implicit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xv messiahs easy yoke.htm

The Seventh Book
... are we to believe that they did not deserve their fate ... will find none with an equal
measure of good and evil ... Indeed, aside from a very few servants of God, what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm