The world speaks of the importance of having self-esteem. God through His Word teaches us that we are to cultivate a positive and healthy image of ourselves; but warns against us having self-esteem (Lk. 9:23, 14:26; Phil. 2:3). Rather than having self-esteem, the Bible speaks of the importance of having slave-esteem. The word servant, from the Greek word—doulos, literally means a slave. Paul, Phoebe, Timothy, James, Peter and Jude are among those who saw themselves as servants (slaves) of Christ (Rom. 1:1, 16:2; Phil. 1:1; James 1:1; II Peter 1:1; Jude 1).

It has been well said, "No person rises to any appreciable stature of spiritual maturity without finding the noble quality of service to others, far exceeds service to self." Paul would exhort the Christian, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Phil. 2:3) and encourage him to emulate Christ, who set forth a great example of having slave-esteem.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2:5-8

Slave-esteem is simply thinking of and doing for others rather than thinking of and doing for self. Jesus humbly and lovingly died for others, in order to provide salvation for all of mankind.

" Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mt. 20:28

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:8,9)

A slave of Christ seeks to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5) and show others Jesus Christ rather than showing others himself. (Galatians 2:20) A slave of Christ esteems others more important than he does himself. The world says "look at me", the Christian says, "look at Christ" and he does that by losing himself in serving others. May we as Christians seek to develop slave-esteem rather than self-esteem. " Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Phil. 2:3).

Mike Gurganus
PO Box. 916
Henderson, NC 27536