Theme: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Text: “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things…Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things”. – Titus 2:9, 10.
Comment: To purloin means to steal (especially something of small value). It is sheer dishonesty for those under authority to covet what belongs to their masters or employers. Rather, they should show “all good fidelity” or honesty in handling what has been put into their care. That way, they present the Christian faith in good light to their masters. Jesus Christ declared: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16) It is when those who are under authority are honest in their dealings that they could have an assured future by the grace of God.
It should be recalled that while Mordecai was an official under King Ahasuerus, he dutifully reported a plot by some of the King’s servants to carry out a coup by killing him. He did not report them because of the quest for any material benefit but because he believed it was his duty to do so. Nevertheless, in course of time the king asked for the chronicles to be read and his good deed was found out. The honours given him were phenomenal. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” – Hebrews 6:10.