Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers • Deshen Daily

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (Ephesians 6:6 KJV)

I know your works showing a handyman cutting through iron

The Lord gave general instructions on our daily Christian living through the Apostle Paul in the verse above. He wrote to servants to obey their masters and to serve them with wholeheartedness. This instruction was given to servants mentioned in the Bible but is applicable to us today in whatever way we serve. In fact, he makes it clear, in the scripture above, that though these servants were serving their earthly masters, their real Master was Christ.

He warns them as eye-service, as men-pleasers or people-pleasers. The specific sense of this phrase means doing something good only when the master is watching or is around. The servant is most concerned about eye-service and not the service. That means if the master is not there or not watching, they will serve differently. They were not true servants but people-pleasers.

Jesus taught that service is the highway to greatness in God’s kingdom (Matt 10:43). To serve someone means to do something that will profit or help that person. Eye-servants or people-pleasers are those who try to do things that appear as service only when the people are there or watching. They are not really serving but trying to build their reputation. True servants are genuinely concerned about the welfare of those they are serving. They will do whatever benefits or profits the master whether someone is watching or not. God takes delight in true service as such.

MEDITATE

What is the difference between true service and eye-service as above? Please take a moment to meditate on the verse above—think through the words, say them out aloud again and again as their meanings and application to you penetrate your heart.

APPLY THE WORD

This devotional is an example of service to you. I am serving you. Sandra, who resides in another state, currently serves in our ministry as a volunteer by proofreading these devotionals and she will typically send me the edited copies with the words “pleasure to serve you always”. That is service. You don’t know her but she is working for you. What are you doing that is helping or profiting God’s people? God pays attention to service.