Servant, Friend, Steward, Son

By Marjorie Kinnee
Editorial

Text: John 15:14-15 – “Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends: for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.”

God's Word uses many examples to illustrate levels of service in His Kingdom. He speaks of bearing fruit and bearing much fruit. He also speaks of of a harvest yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundred-fold and vessels of honor and dishonor. Talents are disbursed as five, two, and one – each recipient is expected to work with what he's been given. Diligence and faithfulness add to that and reward or punishment is administered accordingly. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, works are divided, depending on whether they survive the fire of His scrutiny; gold, silver, and precious stones, versus wood, hay, and stubble. Let's compare servants, friends, stewards and sons...

Servant – The American Heritage Dictionary says a servant is: 1.) One who is privately employed to perform domestic services, [cook, butler, housekeeper, maid, etc.] 2.) One who is publicly employed to perform services, as for a government [civil servant]. [Elisha was servant to Elijah. Gehazi was servant to Elisha.]

1. Jesus said a servant doesn't know the mind of his master. (John 15:15)
   
2. Jesus came to serve – He made Himself of no reputation. (Philippians 2:7-8)
   
3. For Kingdom servants, the way up is down. (Matthew 20:27; I Corinthians 9:19)
   
4. Kingdom servants do so by love. (Galatians 5:13) Old Testament – Love-slaves (Exodus 21:2-6)
   

Friend – A friend is a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. [David and Jonathan were friends.]

1. Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatsoever I command.” (John 15:15)
   
2. Friends are informed about what's going on; they hear and heed. (John 15:15; Romans 12:2)
   
3. Friends learn to be of one mind (unity) with each other. (Philippians 2:5)
   
4. A friend loveth at all times. (Proverbs 17:17)
   
5. Abraham was God's friend. (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23) Moses too! (Exodus 33:11a)
   
6. Friends Believe Friends. (Romans 4:3; James 2:23)
   

Steward – A steward is one who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs.

1. At one time, Abraham asked if his steward, Eleazar, would be his heir. (Genesis 15:2-6) Later, faithful Eleazar was sent to bring back a wife for Isaac. (Genesis 24)
   
2. A steward must be faithful. (I Corinthians 4:1-2)
   
3. Faithful stewards are rewarded. (Luke 12:42-44)
   

Son – A son is one's male child; one's son may be so by blood or by adoption. [Solomon was David's son.]

1. Isaac, not Ishmael, was Abraham's son of promise. (Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7-9)
   
2. A son inherits, he is his father's heir. (Galatians 4:7; I John 3:1-3) We are too! (Galatians 4:28-29)
   
3. A son learns obedience. (Hebrews 5:8; 12:7)
   
4. A son is disciplined (with love) while learning obedience. (Hebrews 12:5-13; Proverbs 3:12)
   
5. Sons love fathers. (John 5:19-20) Fathers love sons. (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10)
   
6. Sons of God are those who are led by His Spirit. (Romans 8:14-17)
   

Amazing that we need not be limited to any single one of these categories! James says we can be “perfect and entire, wanting [lacking] nothing.” (James 1:4b) Peter speaks of an “abundant entrance.” ((II Peter 1:11) This is how it's done: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrew 13:20-21)

May we each hear Him say, “Well done!”