Before we answer the basic question posed by this article, we will determine what it means for Christians to be godly servants.

First, we will define the term godly.  For purposes of this article,  the term godly means “devoted to God” or “devout,” as defined by Webster’s Dictionary.  Therefore, a godly person will seek to honor God and bring glory to Him.  As for the term servant, the applicable definition in Webster’s Dictionary of servant is “a person devoted to another or to a cause, creed, etc.”

Although the Bible does not specifically define the nature of a godly servant, we think the Bible does indicate that being a godly servant includes the following characteristics:

  • A godly servant is humble rather than attempting to exalt himself or herself. Among the most relevant scriptures that pertain to this characteristic are the three that immediately follow.  

[Note:  When we quote Scripture in this article, we use the wording in the New King James Version of the Bible.]

In Matthew 23:12, Jesus Christ declares, “[W]hoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Likewise, in Luke 18:14b, Jesus Christ asserts, “[E]veryone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

And, 1 Peter 5:6 states, “[H]umble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. . . .”

But, what is the basis for believing that Christians should be godly servants?  The following are  several reasons:

One reason is that Jesus Christ had a servant-like attitude that set an example for His followers (i.e., Christians), as indicted in the following three scriptures:

Acts 3:13a: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus. . . .

Acts 3:26: God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.

Philippians 2:5-7:  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it]robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

A second reason why Christians should be godly servants is because Jesus Christ wants His followers to demonstrate true spiritual greatness, as indicated by the next four scriptures:

Matthew 20:26b-28:  [Jesus Christ declared] “[W]hoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave –  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Matthew 23:11: [Jesus Christ stated] “[H]e who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Mark 9:35: He [Jesus Christ] sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Mark 10:43b-45: [Jesus Christ asserted] “[W]hoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

A third reason why Christians should be godly servants is that when they graciously serve other people, they can have a positive influence that may motivate non-Christians to become Christians, as implied by the following verse of scripture:

1 Corinthians 9:19: [The Apostle Paul says] For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more. . . .

Summary and Conclusions

The Bible indicates that to be godly servants, Christians need to be obedient to God, seek to minister to the needs of other people, and act humbly.  Furthermore, the Bible teaches that godly servants are following the example of Jesus Christ, thereby demonstrating true spiritual greatness and having a positive influence on non-Christians that may motivate them to become Christians.