We have been studying Paul
the apostle's instruction to Titus concerning the various groups of
people within the church at Crete. Titus is the pastor there, and he
is to share sound doctrine with those he oversees. In yesterday's
verse we discovered that servants or employees were to be obedient to
their own masters or bosses, and they were to desire to please them
in all things without any backtalk. Today Paul continues his
exhortation for servants or employees in verse ten of chapter two
where he wrote:
Not purloining, but
showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God
our Saviour in all things.
The next
instruction for servants or employee from Paul is that they be “not
purloining” which means literally “to set apart, separate or
divide for oneself.” The idea is that they not embezzle or withdraw
covertly and appropriate items to their own use. In other words,
servants and employees should not steal from their overseers.
Servants and employees might be prone to take something that does not
belong to them, and they might justify it by saying they are not
acknowledged enough or paid enough, etc. so they are entitled to
whatever it is. This should not be. Too many times a pencil here or a
pad of paper there has led to an overall embezzlement of huge amounts
of money or items. This does not speak well of the servant or
employee, but it certainly brings reproach upon one who is a
Christian.
Paul
states that the servant or employee should rather be “showing
all good fidelity.” In other words, they are faithful and
trustworthy in their jobs. The boss or master of any Christian should
find them to be the most reliable and trustworthy person whom he or
she employs. Whenever the Christian does otherwise, the boss or
master is likely to think less of the Christian faith which merits
Paul's reason for servants or employees to be so faithful.
Paul
says, “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all
things.” The Christian worker is to know that he or she “wears”
or “adorns” God's doctrine in everything he or she does. The way
the Christian walks, talks, acts, behaves, etc. is being watched by
unbelievers all the time. Everything that a servant or employee does
should be conducted in such a manner that the “doctrine” or
“teaching” of God our Savior is spoken well of and not evil.
Christians servants and employees must be the most exemplary group
that enters the workforce. Paul knows this, and his emphasis to Titus
assures us that we must also learn from his words.
So what
kind of “servants” are we? Do we serve as though we are adorning
the doctrine of God our Savior? Do we realize that our behavior is
being watched by others, and if we were tested would we be
withdrawing items covertly for ourselves? Are there items we are
taking that do not belong to us? Do we use work time for our own
causes and thereby “steal” time from our bosses? Paul's challenge
to all of us today is to be faithful in all things so the doctrine of
God our Savior will not be reproached. May God help us all to
remember that we are representing Him when we work for our bosses and
masters in this world.
Next
time we will talk about to whom the grace of God is available, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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