Faithful servants….

Faithful servants….

I read recently in a local newspaper that several service organizations are thinking of disbanding due lack of people to serve…these are well known organizations that have done good works both locally and internationally…people just aren’t taking time  to serve for a variety of reasons…or volunteerism is changing …or younger people have other priorities than their senior counterparts…I applaud these faithful servants who have held on for decades, faithfully serving in various capacities…

As I read the following passage about Abraham’s trusted servant, I was struck by the comment, “who had charge of all he had”…it is repeated again later about Joseph and his servanthood in a land far from his home and family…

Such trust, such a compliment of both men…I can imagine the first walking with Abraham through his life, watching his trials, his obedience, his faith, his journey…was he one of the servants left behind when Abraham took his son, Isaac, to the mountain for sacrifice, only to see them both return after God’s provision…had they shared conversations of God’s promises…did they sit around the nightly fire conversing about the daily tasks, the flocks, things to do….had he wondered about Abraham’s decision to give Lot the valley portion of the land…had he helped Abraham bury his wife, Sarah…

He was trusted with finding a wife for Abraham’s promised son…a precious and esteemed service…

Joshua asked the Israelites whom they desired to serve…to whom would they give faithful service…

We are asked as well…whom shall we serve…

Then, I read and think about Jesus coming to serve all, everyone, the “whosoevers”, by giving his life ….it is mind boggling…such servanthood,  such faithfulness to His  Word…we are the searched for Bride just as Rebekah…What will our answer be to the “Servant Jesus”…will we follow other gods as in Joshua’s times…will we be found faithful, taking care our Lord’s “household “ as Joseph or Abraham’s servant…where is our/my service….

Thank YOU….

And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 

The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 

When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord.

Genesis 24:2,26,52

So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate….

Genesis 39:4,6a

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .”

Joshua 24:15 

11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Matthew 23:11 

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Matthew 24:45-47 

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45  

26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 12:26 

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Romans 1:1 

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:4-8