Good Servants
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4: 6 - 16
I had the opportunity this summer to work with inner-city children in Dallas, TX through a program called Project Transformation (www.projecttransformation.org). We provided a program to the children Monday through Thursday from 9 – 3 for eight weeks. In the afternoons, we had a period called “Afternoon Enrichment” during which we would have large group activities (the children were divided into grade levels for the morning program).
About two or three weeks into the program we decided to have a movie day for the kids. We brought The Incredibles, bought a lot of popcorn (we had 60 kids to take care of), and had the movie showing in a carpeted room where we could all be relatively comfortable.
Sometime during the afternoon one of the kids tore out several pages of my Study Bible that I had placed on a table. I had trusted that the children would respect (of all things) The Bible and that it would be safe. When I discovered this sad state for my Bible, I asked the kids who had done it. No one confessed (I made it pretty clear that the person wouldn’t be in trouble, I only wanted an apology), and it sort of hurt. But then I thought about something.
I’ll be the very first person to admit that I have not traditionally read the Scriptures as often or as thoroughly as I should. So that raised the question, “Who has disrespected the Bible more?” Was it the child(ren) who tore the book, or was it a college student who had failed to be a good servant and a good steward of God’s Holy Word through reading and study? Was it a child who admits to having no understanding or a young adult whose job it was to help that child understand The Bible?
Needless to say, I bought a new Bible, and started reading it more adamantly than ever this summer. I read for at least 30 minutes a day, and have come closer to God because of it.
In 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul encourages Timothy by challenging him to do that which will allow him become a “worthy” servant of Jesus. According to Paul, this includes spiritual training through reading of the Scriptures, the development of those gifts and graces that God has given all of us, and to be an example to all despite being a young adult.
My dear brothers and sisters, it is our job to do as Timothy did. Through study of the Scriptures, development of our spiritual gifts, and being a bold example of Christ, we can be some of the most effective ministers around. Being a minister isn’t just getting into the pulpit. It’s about serving God in whatever capacity we are called to serve in: bringing friends to church, studying the Scriptures, joining prayer groups, being a shoulder to cry on, or one of many other remarkable things that can be done for the glory of God.
Remember, we are the future, and we have to show others of our generation and other generations how to be a good servant of Christ Jesus. It is not about following a “mechanism”, instead it’s about serving the Lord joyfully throughout life despite the forces that attempt to hold us down. Being a good servant was Paul's challenge to the young Timothy, and that's my challenge to all of you.
Grace and Peace Shine Upon Thee,
Chris Phillips
Do or Do Not. There Is No Try.