You Can't Please Everyone

In the ancient world of the Bible, prosperity was the privilege of the few. Many were poor day labourers or slaves. When we read the teachings of Jesus, he often speaks of poor labourers, servants and slaves.

He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35 NLT

When the Jewish disciples began to evangelise among the non-Jews, a whole new movement of God arose. The time came when the majority of the disciples were no longer Jewish.

In the Roman Empire the economic system was based on slavery. A great many of the first Christians were slaves. They had no rights. They had to obey every command and fulfil every wish of their masters.

Paul wrote that Christian slaves should obey their masters. Otherwise, the master was allowed to beat or kill his slave.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Ephesians 6:5 NLT

How are we to understand this teaching of Jesus today?

and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44–45 NLT

There are Christians who feel obliged to fulfil every wish of their family, every request of their boss, every instruction of their pastor, as if they were serfs and everyone around them their master.

This is exactly how they understand Jesus' teaching that they are to be the slave of all. But is that actually true?

Jesus was obedient as a child, but as a preacher he was different. He was always helpful. He wanted to do good to everyone, but he was not there to follow the instructions of the religious leaders.

If everyone is your master, you cannot follow Jesus.

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. Matthew 6:24 NLT

God promises to provide for our natural needs. I do not find a glorification of poverty in the Bible. But there are Christians who spread an extreme prosperity doctrine. In those ministries I sometimes see greed taking over.

Greed for money can be your master, but not only the love of money can distract us from true discipleship.

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26 NKJV

So should you hate your family? God forbid! The Bible teaches us to honour our parents.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, Eph 5:25 NKJV

So what did Jesus mean?

“Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 The Living Bible

Christians who always feel obliged to fulfil the expectations of others may be in heaven after they die, but here on earth they cannot follow Jesus.

Those who say yes to Jesus must often also be able to say no to others.