The Hired Servant week 30, 2012

Why do you call him that? He served you well. I don’t doubt that he did; but he still is a hired servant. All the features are there. Which features? You pointed out that he served well not so? He was very dedicated and committed and God has blessed him abundantly on every side. He has prospered financially; and has both male and female children. Yes he has received his pay and has retired from service. And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed. You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the LORD your God has blessed you, you shall give to him Dt 15:13, 14(ESV).
He is still in church and has not retired. King Saul had retired from service many years even while sitting on the throne. Tell me how available he is for work. And when was the last time he participated in evangelism or led in prayers? He who before was the face of the ministry. These days we have to literally beg him before he comes around for anything. He speaks roughly, and now takes offense easily. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all… 2Ti 2:24(KJV). What activities and recreation are all around him lately? Is it not more and more commerce? Unedifying, suspect and occasionally out-rightly corrupting videos fill his parlour. Hasn’t he retired?
Don’t be too hard on him, he went through a hard time before his breakthrough. In those days he would go all night asking God to settle him, quoting scripture, claiming the headship. It is the hired hand that looks forward to his release date, that craves to be settled. The bondman craves for more service. In the day of his release volunteers himself for permanent service to the master. But if he says to you, 'I will not go out from you,' because he loves you …then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same Dt 15:16, 17(ESV).
So you want him to serve you always, eh? Why should I? Am I not a fellow servant? Was Paul’s pain over Demas selfish? For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica… 2Ti 4:10(ESV). I wish he were running a successful ministry in that business; that he used it as a platform for evangelism, missions support, and mentoring young converts. The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out… Mk 4:18, 19 (CEV).