Springs Of Wisdom:Pattern For Church Leaders (2)

THE servants, the employees in various places of employment and under different kinds of masters or employers were to allow Christ to shine forth through them. The masters or employers in New Testament times were mostly unbelievers.

A great number of them were inconsiderate and unkind, but their un-Christian character did not excuse or permit Christian employees to dishonour those masters or be dishonest in their duties.

The servants, that is, the employees, were to be obedient, hardworking and faithful “not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” In their hearts, they were to “count their own masters worthy of all honour.”

The few servants who were employed by “believing masters” were “not to despise them, because they are brethren” but rather to do them service.

All this they were to do so that “the name of God and His doctrine” will not be blasphemed. Pastors and preachers are to teach Christian men and women that they must let their gospel light shine in their communities and in their places of employment. Titus was to instruct and impress it on all Christian employees that they were to be “obedient unto their own masters” at all times, as long as they were in their employment.

They were not to riot or be governed by an aggressive union, but to please their own masters well in all things, and at all times. Their greatest desire should not be higher pay but “the adorning of the doctrine of God our Saviour.” “Not purloining” – Christian employees would not deliberately be producing less than they are capable of, for that would be considered unfaithful and un-Christlike on their part.

In all things, at all times, under all conditions, with good and froward masters, Christian employees are to so live and work that they will draw employers and co-workers to Christ through righteous attitude, behaviour and dedication to their work.

Goals, motives and purposes or reasons for our actions are very important to God. Our actions are evaluated on the basis of the purpose behind those actions.

For all God’s children and Christ’s ambassadors, our consuming purpose and passion should be to glorify God and to influence and inspire others to also glorify Him.

Our relationships, behaviour, activities, manner of life and mode of working should make all around us to desire Christ and His salvation. At home, we should so live “that the word of God be not be blasphemed” (Titus 2:5).

In the community, our conduct should show such a model of righteousness “that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you”, of us (Titus 2:8).

With our employers and among our fellow-workers, in the midst of other employers, our lifestyle and dedication in service, our faithfulness and loyalty, our honesty and integrity, our attitude and industry, our skilfulness, selflessness and resourcefulness will go a long way to make us “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10).

Further Reading: Titus 2:7-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:16,17; Philippians 3:14-17; 1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1:12; Colossians 4:5,6; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-25; 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1,2; 1 Peter 2:18-21; Ecclesiastes 9:10; 1 Timothy 6:6-12; Romans 2:14-16; Acts 24:16; 1 Timothy 1:4,19; 3:7-9; 1 Timothy 6:1; 1 Peter 2:12-15; 4:11,14-16; Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 4:1, 17-21; Philippians 2:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12; 1 Peter 2:9.