by Adelani Aderemi

Created on: July 15, 2009   Last Updated: July 17, 2009

I have always drawn inspiration from the conducts of certain uncelebrated characters in the Bible. Uncelebrated because they just happened to be footnotes to the story of certain major characters used in building up the theme, but these people were great men and women of God all the same. In our journey through life, we do well to emulate them, for their inclusion in the Biblical story was inspired of God and not coincidence. The following is a story that contains one of such people.

Saul, son of Kish was instructed to go on a business trip accompanied by a servant. Some donkeys were missing and that was going to be a great loss to the family business if they were not found. Saul's mission was to find these beasts of burden and return them to the stable. Read 1 Sam 9:1-27. Among the many servants on the family payroll, Saul picked a particular one. Why did he make that choice?

One could readily say that the one who got selected by Saul was available. Over time, he must have proved himself capable and thorough. Saul had to like him anyway for who would want to embark on such a journey that might take several days in the company of a bore? So he must have been good also. By hindsight I can also say that the servant was goal-oriented and persevering. He was untiring even though he had no stake in the family business. When Saul suggested they call the search off the man was ready to go the extra mile. He had faith in God's intervention and his faith influenced Saul. He demonstrated this faith not only in suggesting consultation with Samuel the seer, but he was also ready to bear the cost and that was all he had left in his pocket. That was sacrifice. He showed love to his employer by putting in more than he could ever be paid for. The servant must have cultivated an attitude of gratitude for being employed by the family of Kish. He was grateful to God for the privilege to work. This is the punch line in Jesus parable of the vineyard, the privilege to work in the vineyard of God and not the salary (Mathew 20:1-15).

What did this servant get for all his qualities? The Bible did not tell us more about him but we know that God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Heb 6:10 NIV) I would expect that as Saul was promoted by God from a common man from the least family in the tribe of Benjamin to the King of Israel to whom no one equals, the servant was automatically promoted

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