Three kinds of servants

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A servant of God is a person who is called, chosen and contemplated by the Holy Spirit. The Most High counts on His work to fulfil His plan for Salvation. But, unfortunately, many servants, rather than acting as workers together with God (2 Corinthians 6:1), have prevented others from knowing the Lord Jesus by behaving contrary to His will.

In a parable in the Word of God, He describes the kind of servant who pleases Him (Matthew 25:14-30). This description is summed up in two qualities: good and faithful. But what do these characteristics mean? How can they interfere with the growth of the Kingdom of God? And what happens if one of these is not found in a servant of the Most High?

A good servant is someone who bears fruit, is competent, puts all his strength into what he does and, continues to develop the qualities he possess. His achievements are remarkable; he’s skilled, adds to the Kingdom of God and multiplies the talent he received from his Lord. Indifference and complacency are not part of his nature.

A faithful servant is considered a person who possesses a sincere intention to glorify the Lord Jesus. He is aware that he was chosen for a higher purpose than his own life. With a pure heart, he considers the Sovereignty of God and knows he cannot do anything without Him. He is honest and has character.

This is why we see many servants who are good, but not faithful, as well as many servants who are faithful, but not good. However, there are those who are good and faithful, but they are very few.

The ‘good but not faithful’ servants achieve impressive results when it comes to their work, but it is done with the intention of bringing glory to themselves. They do everything for themselves, not for God. They want to, somehow, achieve personal benefits through their ministry. This can harm the Salvation of others, since there is a high risk of them causing a scandal.

Then, there are the ‘faithful but not good’ servants who please the Lord with their intentions, but lack in other areas because they fail to put their all into what they do, never seeking to make a difference. They do not challenge themselves, do not improve and are content with very little. They do not save more people because of their lack of effort.

Lastly, the ‘good and faithful’ servants are those who please God in what they do and who they are. They are visionaries, seeking greater things in order to present the Lord with excellent results, because they are delighted to satisfy Him and exalt Him in this world. They give their all with the pure intention of saving more people.

The question is: which one of these three servants are you?

Be vigilant servants of God!

• Do not let your personal ambitions or complacency prevent others from achieving Salvation!
• Repair your shortcomings, for the Most High is counting on you in His great work!
• Always present yourself before Him as a complete servant, whose hands are calloused, but whose heart is clean.

Bishop Edir Macedo
www.bispomacedo.com.br/en
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