Chapter 8 — Concerning Servants
Servants also have a work to do for God in their place and station among men.
The apostles consider three types of master. First, The believing master. Second, The unbelieving master. Third, The difficult master.
Servants are provided with counsel and advice in the word for each of these, to live appropriately under each of them.
But before I speak in detail, I will show you the duty of servants in general.
1. You are to consider yourself as you are; that is, as a servant, not a child, nor a wife; you are below these; so consider yourself below them, and be content. 'For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear.' One is 'a servant when he rules' (Prov 30:21, 22). It is out of your place, either to talk or act as one that rules. 2. Remember that what you work with is not your own but your master's. Now, because it is not your own you should not dispose of it; but because it is your master's, you should be faithful. Thus it was with Joseph (Gen 39:8, 9). But if you do otherwise, know that you shall receive of God for the wrong that you do; and there is with God 'no respect of persons' (Col 3:25). So, 3. Regarding your work, do it as to the Lord, and not for man; and, indeed, then servants do their business as they should, when they do all in obedience to the Lord, as knowing that the place where they now are, it is the place where Christ has put them, and where he expects they should be faithful. 'Servants,' says Paul, 'be obedient to those who are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart' (Eph 6:5,
6). Observe a little the word of God to servants. 1. Servants must be obedient; yet, 2. Not with that obedience that will serve man only. Servants must have their eye on the Lord in the work they do for their masters. 3. Their work in this service is the will and plan of God. From which I conclude, that your work as a servant is as truly God's plan, and as acceptable to him in its kind, as is preaching, or any other work for God; and that you are as sure to receive a reward for your labour, as he who hangs or is burnt for the gospel.
So, says the apostle to servants, 'Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ' (Col 3:23, 24).
And now concerning the three sorts of masters mentioned above.
First, For the believing master; says Paul, 'Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather serve them because they are faithful and beloved, and sharers, with the servants, of the heavenly benefit (1 Tim 6:2). Servants, if they do not guard their hearts, will be so aware of the relationship between their masters and them as brethren that they will forget the relationship that is between them as masters and servants. Now, they should remember the one but not forget the other. Know your place, as a servant, aware that your master and you are brethren, and do your work for him faithfully, humbly, and with meekness, because he is a faithful and beloved master, and shares in the heavenly benefit. 'If any man teaches otherwise,' says the apostle Paul, 'and does not accept the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but pre-occupied with questions and wordy strife; from which comes envy, strife, criticisms, evil opinions, and perverse arguments of men of corrupt minds who are destitute of the truth, who suppose that gain is godliness: withdraw from such people' (1
Tim 6:35). Second, For the unbelieving masters, for of them Paul speaks in 1 Tim 6:1, 'Let as many servants,' says he, 'as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his teaching may not be blasphemed.' Servants living with unbelieving masters are committed to being watchful, faithful, and trusty. Committed, I say, 1. In view of of the condition of their master; for he being unbelieving, will keep a sharp eye on you, and on what you do, more so because you are a believer; as in the case of Saul and David (1 Sam 18:8, 9 &c). 2. You are responsible because you are known as Christian; for by that you lay both God and his word before your master, and he has no choice but to judge them if you behave badly. So Paul bids Titus 'exhort servants to be obedient to their masters, and to please them in all things, not answering back;' not giving foolish answers, not stealing, but being reliable, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Saviour in all things' (Titus 2:9, 10). That servant, who in an unbeliever's family does his work before God, as God's plan, shall adorn the teaching of God, if not save his master by so doing; but if he does otherwise, he shall stumble the unbeliever, dishonour God, offend the faithful, and bring guilt on his own soul.
Third, For the difficult master. I distinguish him from the unbeliever, yet not because he is a believer, but because not every unbeliever is difficult. Now with this difficult and irritable fellow, you are to serve as faithfully for the time you are employed, as with the most pleasant and rational master in the world: 'Servants,' says Peter, 'be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the difficult' (1 Peter 2:18). And if your irritable master is still difficult, either out of spite to your religion, or because he is lacks sense concerning your labour, though you labour faithfully, God then reckons you suffer for well-doing as truly as if you were persecuted for your faith. So Peter adds this encouragement to servants to what he says: 'This is praiseworthy,' says he, 'if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But if when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God' (1 Peter 2:19, 20). So be comforted concerning your condition, considering that God looks on you as on Jacob in the family of Laban; and will right all your wrongs, and repay you for your faithful, wise, and godly behaviour, before, and in the service of your difficult master. So, be patient, I say, and faithful in your employment, till God makes a way for your escape; and if you are offered freedom, take it (1 Cor 7:21).