Command 34 : Be a Servant | Day 233

Pass Three Servant Tests!

The president of a very successful company would follow a curious procedure when he was considering hiring a new executive. First, he would take the prospective executive out to eat at a restaurant. When they received the menu, the president would carefully watch to see if the man looked at the food first or the price first. If he focused on the food before checking the price, he failed the test.

During the meal, the president would ask his guest to pour half a glass of water for him. If the water went well beyond the halfway mark, this test was failed for not following instructions. These tests might seem insignificant to us, but not for this CEO. He has learned through much experience the wisdom of God's three tests of a faithful man.

The character of a servant is revealed in little decisions.

The three tests of a faithful servant are given to us in Luke 16:10-13. They are:

1. Being faithful in little things.
2. Being faithful with money.
3. Being faithful in carrying out another man's work.

Those who pass these three tests are likely to have the following qualities, which are essential qualities of a faithful servant:

• Availability:Adjusting my schedule in order to accomplish the tasks that are assigned to me. This quality is the result of choosing to serve another rather than ourselves.
• Initiative:Seeing what needs to be done and doing it. All achievement begins with initiative. God demonstrated initiative when He created the world and when He provided redemption for us through Christ.
• Diligence:Accepting each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my resources to accomplish it. A diligent man will never lack for a job, because his boss cannot afford to lose him.
• Creativity:Finding a new and more efficient approach to accomplish a project. Every task will encounter obstacles that stop the average worker but become exciting challenges to the creative servant.
• Wisdom:Choosing the right course by listening to the counsel of God and others. A creative idea may be a foolish solution. A wise and creative person will act in harmony with the laws of nature and of God.

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [obscure] men" (Proverbs 22:29).

I have known many men who are in constant jeopardy of losing their jobs because they do not excel in these five essential qualities. It would be wise to go to a trusted friend and ask him to rate your demonstration of each quality on a scale of 1–10. Remember that the wounds of a true friend are faithful (see Proverbs 27:6), and thank him for his honesty. Then, let's do all we can to develop these vital qualities so that we can be honorable examples of a servant of Christ.