65 The Servant's Directory
The Servant’s Directory
"Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh." 1 Peter 2:18
Christianity is not only a friend to families in general — but to female servants in particular; in former times servants were slaves — but the religion of Christ has broken the fetters, and set the captive free. But though they are freed from slavery, they are not freed from duty. Servants, especially Christian servants, are directed, in the New Testament, how to conduct themselves in their situations, and toward their employers. Hear the words of the Holy Spirit to you: "Servants, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."
Again, "Servants, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Again, "All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them."
Once more, "Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."
See how full and particular are the directions which the Lord has given you; and in observing them and regulating your conduct by them — you will obtain respect, enjoy peace, and be crowned with the blessing of the Lord. You are to view the hand of the Lord in your present lot; and considering it to be His will that you should be a servant — you are to serve cheerfully, as serving Him — while you obey your employers; being persuaded that if men do not prize or adequately remunerate you for your services, your Savior will. You know he has said, "With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again." But if you neglect duty, or get above your station, or give yourself airs, as if you were your own master or mistress — He will visit your transgressions with a rod; He notices the insults offered to your employers, and treats them as if offered to Himself.
If you cheerfully, honestly, and constantly obey all your employer’s lawful commands, you honor God, adorn the gospel, and walk in the truth; and so doing, God will assuredly honor you. You are commanded to do whatever your employers require — if it is not sinful, and to do it heartily; not only when their eye is upon you — but also in their absence; considering yourself the servant of God, whose eye is always upon you, and whom it is impossible to deceive. He has promised you a glorious inheritance, and will bestow it of freest grace, upon all who believe and obey His Word. But if you neglect your work, injure your master’s property, idle away or misemploy his time — the Lord notices it, and will deal with you accordingly; for His promises were never intended to set aside His precepts; nor the relationship into which He has taken you, to raise you above His government. They aggravate your sins — but cannot dispense with your obedience. Your master is accountable for whatever is wrong in his conduct; and you must give an account of yours.
If your master be an infidel — you are to reverence him as your master; and to be obedient to him while his servant, even if he is ill-natured and severe. Your master’s conduct towards you — is not your rule of obedience; but the precepts of God are to be your guide, and His honor your aim.
If your master is a believer, a member of the same church, you are not to imagine yourself his equal, or take liberties, because he is a brother in Christ; but be more diligent, respectful, and concerned to please him. Your aim must be to adorn the gospel, or represent it as lovely, by its effect on your life and conduct; pleasing, if possible, your employers in all things, not secretly taking or giving away any part of their property; but be scrupulously honest as in the sight of God. The precepts of God being thus plain and strict — be particular as to what situations you enter; always engage to have your Christian privileges; render your services valuable; obtain and keep a character which answers to God’s requirements — and you must do well.