“Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Not with eye service, as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart: with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8
In the story of Elisha healing Naaman, the personal servants of both men play a significant part in the story. One wanted the blessing of healing for his master, and the other wanted the blessing of his master's gifts for himself.
When we work for someone, whether we are working at the company just for the money, or for the love of the job, we should be able to bless those in charge; owners, managers, administrators, etc. If you truly cannot bless those at the helm, or the company you actually work for, maybe it's time for you to find a new job with people you can respect and bless! Right now you are thinking of your boss, and truly considering closing this book permanently!
This may seem peculiar to some people, yet our example is found in the story of Naaman and the Prophet Elisha. Both servants made an impact on the story found in 2 Kings, Chapter 5. Gehazi, Elisha's assistant, was a man who saw Elisha heal and bless many people. The personal servant to Naaman, is a man the Bible does not name.
Yet, Naaman's servant blessed his master's life, understanding that by blessing his master, it would have a direct impact on his own life. And, it was due to his direct urging that Naaman was healed of the curse leprosy.
Can you imagine how valued this servant was to Naaman after he was healed?
On the contrary, Elisha's servant, Gehazi, surprisingly did not have the ability to understand God's provisions for Elisha. Instead of blessing the wondrous works of God done through his boss, he envied his ability. He did not understand that in blessing Elisha, he too would be blessed. And so, he misunderstood why Elisha refused to accept the gifts offered by Naaman for the healing bestowed by God. Had he understood, he would have blessed Elisha, adding a full richness and blessing to his own life. Instead, he opened his life up to receiving the fullness of the curse leprosy. Once stricken with the disease leprosy, he was useless to Elisha. His life could not show the blessings bestowed by God, just the curse.
Bless those around you. If you truly cannot bless those who work in your midst, then why are you there? Find someplace else to work where you can bless those around you; or else, begin to make a conscious effort to bless the ones you currently work with. Look around your workplace and bless everything with goodness, uplifting the name of Jesus; it is the most powerful name in the world. If you cannot do so, then going to work every day with envy, jealousy, covetousness, and a bad spirit in your heart will only harm you, not those you work for or with. So the challenge is, change your attitude or change your job. L.
Study Reference: 2 Kings 5, Ephesians 6:5-8
From: "A Tale of Two Servants." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Getty Images
RSS Feed
