Servant Evangelism: A Biblical Perspective on Slavery

Words are powerful weapons. In a matter of seconds, a testimony built over a lifetime can be destroyed by a few careless words. The wisdom of Proverbs is crucial at this point:272

A person's speech is one of the clearest indications of what is in a person's heart. The servant of Christ will be polite in speech, especially when talking to and about his boss. This is the practical application of the gospel to the details of life, even our speech.

Be Principled in Your Service

Titus 2:10

In addition to "not talking back," slaves are not to be found "stealing" or "pilfering" (NKJV). The servant of Christ is not a thief! Rather he is a man you can trust when you are not around. He is honest, dependable, a man of integrity. He does not take what belongs to another while justifying in his mind that he has earned it and that he deserves it.

This servant will go the extra mile in maintaining his financial accountability. There will be no inflated expense accounts, falsified time sheets, or unauthorized use of his employer's resources. From a paper clip to a corporate jet, he will conduct himself with absolute honesty and273 integrity. After all, he serves Christ, and he would never think of stealing from Jesus.

Be Public in Your Sincerity

Titus 2:10

In contrast to "not talking back or stealing," the servant of Christ is to demonstrate "utter faithfulness." The conjunction "but" denotes a strong adversative, an emphatic rejection of what goes before it: "Not stealing but showing faithfulness." The word "demonstrating" means to show forth. The idea is that our faithfulness and fidelity to our masters is evident and visible to all. Our trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability are continually on display. No one needs to be looking over our shoulder. We are known for our loyalty and integrity. Others may cheat the boss but not us. Others may betray the boss but not us. Others may become embittered at their boss, especially if they serve a tyrant or bully. But not us. As servants of Christ, in stark and remarkable contrast, we will put on public display the gospel's transforming power that enables us to bless rather than curse, to serve rather than steal.

Be Praiseworthy of Your Savior

Titus 2:10

Being a faithful, honest, gracious, kind, and submissive servant has a noble end: to "adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything." This kind of servant makes beautiful and attractive the teaching of God our Savior, and he does this in everything and in every way. Though he is a slave or servant, the one under authority makes gorgeous the things of God by his productive, pleasing, polite, principled, public service. It is indeed a praiseworthy service as it puts on display the character of God shining forth from one of His children. Hayne Griffin is right on target when he says,

In commenting on this verse, Spurgeon writes,

This is godliness that is worthy of the praise of our Savior.

Conclusion

Why does Paul provide this charge to those who are under the authority of another? I think the answer is easily given. Without the mind of Christ, the filling of the Spirit, and a spiritual perspective on now and eternity, we will be,

to a Savior we say we adore.

When you are in the position of disadvantage, when you are the servant rather than the master, then you will discover if your faith is real and your profession genuine. It will not be by accident that you are in this position. A sovereign God put you there so that, by your life, those who see you will also see the beauty of your Lord, the beauty of Jesus as you serve others just as you would Jesus.275