The Difference between Servant and Pharisees

Matthew 23:3

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

When Jesus said we are not to do after the works of the Pharisees, He is not saying that we should not do the works they did. If this is so, that means we should not pray, go to church, tithe, greet people when out in society, go to dinner with people, or help people to carry their burdens. The Pharisees’ problem was not what they did, but the purpose for why they did it. The Pharisees had ulterior motives for their works. Let me share what the works of the Pharisees were that Jesus did not want us to do.

First, they say, and do not. Many are willing to tell people what to do, but they won't do it themselves. Position does not give you a right to be lazy. It is easy to tell people to go soul winning, but not going soul winning yourself is a work of a Pharisee. God not only wants us to tell people what to do, but He wants us to do it as well.

Second, they will not get involved in work. Leaders should not just tell people what to do and sit in their office, but they should be involved in the work. Too many believe they have put their time in, and now it is the job of the newbies to do their time. The Christian life is not a tour of duty that you put your time in and then quit, but it is to be a lifetime commitment. The work of Christ is being hurt because of too many people fulfilling their tour and then quitting.

Third, they only get involved in works that allow them to be seen of men. There is a crowd that knows how to get themselves up when it puts them on the platform, but always have ailments when the work won't allow them to be seen. If you can get yourself up to serve God when you are seen, then you can get yourself up to serve God every week when you will not be seen.

Fourth, they do to have position, and not to serve. There is another crowd that if something gives them a position, they will do it, but they avoid it if they don't get the position they want. It is a sad day when people are looking for everything to be done so they can come in and get the applause instead of coming and being a part of the growth that makes something happen. Many miss out on being a part of the crowd that builds something great for God because they don't want to have to work; they want a position that makes them look like they helped build the work. These are opportunists who want to be a part of the big crowd instead of coming in and seeing the vision of what can be done, and are willing to sacrifice to be a part of the team that makes the vision to become a reality.

The key to avoiding these actions is found in verse 11, But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. The difference between the servant and the Pharisee is the servant is there to serve, whereas the Pharisee is there for the show. Verse 14 shows the Pharisees’ heart when it says, …and for a pretence make long prayer….

Are you the servant or the Pharisee? God’s church needs servants and not Pharisees. The cause of Christ is in need of servants, as His cause is in reaching the lost for Christ. You will find the greatest blessings and rewards come from being a servant, for it is the servant who sees God work through them to see the miraculous and build great works for Him.