CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTION FOR MARCH 25, 2022 : TOPIC – GIVING WHAT IS JUST
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Friday, March 25, 2022 -International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery & the Transatlantic Slave Trade & International Day of Solidarity with Detained & Missing Staff Members
GIVING WHAT IS JUST
Read: Ephesians 6:5-9
Ephesians 6:5-9 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
MEMORISE: Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1)
EXPOSITION
Hierarchy is one of the things that make life a better place to live. There is hierarchy everywhere–religious settings, political settings, educational settings, and the home. In today’s dose of living water, the Lord wants us to know His mind towards masters and servants, senior and junior relationship. The master is a representative of Christ. If we will accept Christ as the Head of all and the all in all, we are sitting on the high seat to represent Him in any capacity that we are privileged to serve as leaders (masters). From the systematic process of life, there are servants or followers and the youth who are termed to be the leaders of tomorrow. Every servant must follow Christ’s leadership through his master for that is the mind of Christ (Eph. 6:5).
As a master, everything you have, and the position you are today, are by the grace of God, irrespective of whom you are. It is a privilege from God because you can’t be who you are without His consent. Every master who knows and serves the heavenly Master must be conscious of how he treats those who he has the grace of leading, because leadership is by attribute, and not title; it is influence. The great Master will reward your attitude towards your followers. You are representing Christ in any given position–privilege to be tested for greater heights. Use it well that you may be promoted.
Justice is required of every master to give unto his/her servants; not wickedness, but equity and kindness. Be faithful to your promises/agreements/appointments, neither defrauding nor abusing them (Jas. 5:4). Also, don’t be over-expectant from them; we are all humans with reasonable limitations. Provide for them what is fit, supply proper food, and allow them such liberties as may fit them. That pays for willing, cheerful, and productive service.
Treat your followers and servants well, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven (cf. Matt. 7:12). You who are masters of others have a Master yourself, and are servants of another Lord. You are not lords of yourself, and are accountable to one above you (Heb. 13:17).
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, give me the grace of good leadership in every capacity You graciously put me, at home, in church, workplace, and the society at large.
2. Lord Jesus, give me the grace to treat everyone fairly, and not be guilty.
3. Father, help our church leaders to lead us rightly, in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ruth 1 – 4