Servants and Masters
With reading 1 Peter 2:18-22, I didn't want to address the servants and masters issue that some Bible detractors will try to bring up to discredit scripture and say how it encourages slavery. When if read properly the reader (detractor will see) that the Bible was not seeking to institute slavery, it was trying to show people how to respond in various situations and circumstances. Even doing this ministry over the last few years, God has told me some things that I was not ready for and didn't want to do, including starting the ministry itself. But in this regard, we have Peter speaking to servants who, of course, would want to fight back for being beaten/whipped for sinning against the master. The first part is the sin of the servant against the master. Compare that to the way we as God's children sin against God and we are punished for it. Are we supposed to fight God, our master? No. The same "rule" applies here as servant hood was not the same during this time or in this example as the slavery we understand from American slavery. This was servanthood to pay off debts. So Peter's words here are about enduring when being punished for wrongdoing against the person you went into an agreement with. Even when you are innocent, Peter's words are to "endure" the punishment as Christ was also innocent and that endurance will be a testimony to you in honor of God through Christ and his endurance.
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Your Boss in Heaven
One of the things I hate is when scripture is taken out of context. People love to say that the Bible endorses slavery with verses like Leviticus 25:44-46 (see Got Questions for more on slavery). I think people are assuming slavery at the times of scripture writing was the same as it was in America. Scripture gives regulation on slavery more so than people think and slavery then was not the same as we know about from America. Paul says, "Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." That means remember that even though you have property do not treat them less than human. You could still be a slave owner that was loving. That thinking is so far out there that it makes people upset because the loving thing to do would be to free a slave. But slavery then was not slavery as it was in America, but that takes a history lesson. The point is that when you treat your "human property" a certain way, God will still see it and you should remember that. This goes for us that run businesses. This goes for us that lead our homes. This goes for us that are in charge. Treat other like you know that God will see everything.
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Discernment
Matthew 25:12 "“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’" commentary- This section of Matthew 25:1-13 has Jesus warning people once again what it will be like if they do not follow him now and then wait until the last minute. When they wait to follow and just live their lives without Jesus, they can find themselves "left behind" when he returns. He compares it to 10 women awaiting to get married and 5 of them are prepared with extra oil for their lamps and 5 are not prepared. The bridegroom was delayed and those who had extra oil for their lamps were ready to meet him. Those who needed the get extra oil for their lamps (I assume to see at night and meet the bridegroom) missed out because thy were not prepared for the future they knew was coming. If you aren't ready when he returns you will be left out. Jesus can't spell it out any better than this. But he does keep giving more parables.
Wasting Time
In Matthew 14-30, the parable of the servants/talents,the master gives three servants talents (money) for them to invest and give back upon the master's return. One servant had more talents and doubled the master's investment. The second servant didn't have as many talents, but still doubled the master's investment. The third servant hid the money in the ground for safe keeping, he did nothing to help the Master. The Master did not say "hide my ,money and give it back to me upon my return." He wanted the servant to invest it at least and let the Master gain interest upon his return so that it was not wasted. Basically, the servant did what the Master could have done himself. The Master did not need the servant since he served no purpose.
Selfless Service
Lastly in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives another example of how we love people selflessly. We don't feed the homeless for photo opportunities. We don't help heal the sick so that they can do the same for us later. We don't visit prisoners so that we feel better, we do it to ease their hurts and pains. In verse 40, Jesus says “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" We can overlook so many in society from children to orphans to homeless, the sick and falsely accused. We tend to "mind our own business" or just say that we will pray for them. There is nothing wrong with prayer, but there are opportunities you are passing up due to your busy schedule or pride that thinks that types of selfless service are beneath you you. If any type of selfless act of love and service is beneath you (or you think you are better than that) then you have missed then point of what Christ was teaching.
