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◄ Servants: when Good: Often Advanced by Master►

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In the biblical context, the role of a servant is multifaceted, encompassing both literal and metaphorical dimensions. Servants, when faithful and diligent, are often recognized and advanced by their masters, reflecting a principle of divine justice and reward for righteousness.

Joseph: A Model of Advancement

One of the most prominent examples of a servant being advanced by his master is Joseph. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph served in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. His integrity and God's favor led to his advancement.Genesis 39:4 states, "Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned." Despite subsequent trials, Joseph's faithfulness ultimately led to his elevation as the second most powerful man in Egypt (Genesis 41:40-41).

Daniel: Faithfulness Rewarded

Daniel, taken into Babylonian captivity, serves as another example. His unwavering commitment to God and his exceptional service led to his advancement in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires.Daniel 6:3 notes, "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom." Daniel's account illustrates how faithfulness to God and excellence in service can lead to significant advancement.

The Parable of the Talents

In the New Testament, Jesus' Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) underscores the principle that faithful service leads to greater responsibility and reward. The master in the parable commends the good and faithful servants, saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). This parable highlights the spiritual truth that God rewards those who are faithful with what they have been given.

Elisha: From Servant to Successor

Elisha's journey from servant to successor of Elijah is another testament to the advancement of a good servant. Initially serving Elijah, Elisha's dedication and desire for a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9) led to his anointing as a prophet in his own right. His account demonstrates how faithful service can lead to spiritual inheritance and leadership.

Biblical Principles of Servanthood

The Bible consistently teaches that servanthood, when characterized by faithfulness, integrity, and excellence, is honored by God and often results in advancement.Proverbs 22:29 states, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." This principle is evident throughout Scripture, where good servants are elevated by their masters, reflecting God's justice and the value He places on faithful service.

In summary, the biblical narrative affirms that good servants, through their faithfulness and dedication, are often advanced by their masters, serving as a testament to the divine principle of reward for righteousness and integrity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 39:4,5
And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Traders for theMaster
... Here weoften say, 'I have laboured in vain.' There we... with those of His more
conspicuousservants, and to... 'Good and faithful' refers not to the more general...

UnprofitableServants.
... day do us an injury, and asoften come and... done all, say, We are unprofitable
servants""servants whom the... opportunities of bearing evil and doinggood are in...

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 2, Etc. , About the...
... discovered by the Lord, who escaped the notice of theservants.... these are the miracles
of men who veryoften have not... if I shall have made him agood man, have...

The Great Duty of Family Religion
... to neglect even that) but then howoften do they... indeed, give any countenance to
children andservants to disregard... all of them holy, just, andgood; and the...

Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He...
... as many of you as are really theservants and friends of... upon His bosom, and that
Peter sat agood way off... Men at the tableoften reveal their minds more fully...

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... wife, the wife over theservants, theservants again over... to his snares, and worthy
of thegood things to... and the Patristic writers in generaloften quote the...

Why Men do not Attain Quickly to the Perfect Love of God. Of Four...
... now of those who begin to be theservants of love... It will happen that he isoften
unable to move his... his labour is in vain: he serves agood Master, Whose eyes...

The Note of Cheer
... he who wrote that assurance which has sooften come between... "Wherefore, sirs, be
ofgood cheer," he... But theservants of the Galilean, more persecuted than any...

Jeroboam
... that there is so little mutual goodwill betweenservants and masters... An employer
willoften treat his people as mere "hands... or because it is for thegood of the...

To Sister Daniella of Orvieto
... and insult with much persecution, from the world, andoften from theservants of
God... is the truth"only that we might share His highest and eternalgood....