The Emancipated Slave Still Submits... And Is Apt to Enslave Others

In the flesh, each of us works for someone... even he who thinks he is boss of all.
The goal is to have a happy face (content heart) in whichever role God may place us.

I've written about slavery (the overt ownership of one human being of another), and the other forms of 'slavery' which are evident yet unclear.

Consider the role of an earthly king.

Consider then the example of either Joseph or Daniel.

Both of these individuals rose up to the second-highest position next to an earthly sovereign in their time, yet were still 'subjects' to one man and his ideas.

Consider now those kings who were over these two righteous men.

Those kings may have thought themselves to be 'subject' to no one, but what does the testimony have to say about such arrogance?

Such a misconception was soundly corrected by the King of kings.

This correction happens still Today... each and every time.

God's will came about regardless of the efforts of these kings or the previous low positions of both Joseph and Daniel.

One needs to consider how both Joseph and Daniel spoke and acted despite the dishonorable things done to them.

In today's context, all are slaves / subjects in one sense or another... whether spiritual or physical or both, but never neither.

The person in a 'free' country, who is a citizen with all rights reserved under law to them, still has to work for someone or pay tribute in some form (usually taxes) to someone or some entity.

Such a person is still subject to the law of the land, and of course subject to God despite the variance in law.

The man atop the earthly pecking order is still subject to another's will, whether peers or the masses (when rebellions / revolutions arise)... and always God.

Even if someone goes to work for themselves, they are physically bound similarly as the person owning many things yet not having to 'do' anything in receiving an income.

Even the passive owner has a role to play, and their lack of executing the demands of their role / position brings trouble on themselves.

Even a wealthy person has a small part in furthering their wealth's distribution... and be an example (good or bad) to others to admire or to avoid.

The same mechanism is realized when taxes are spent by either government or a 'royal' dynamic... the monies return to the hands of others in the form of products or services rendered.

In this world, all of mankind is a 'slave' / 'servant' of some kind.

The Gospel teaches us to be content with our position in life.

It also teaches us if we can realize our freedom (to be more self-determined) then by all means pursue that effort, but if not, to not worry about it.

The aim is to be honorable in whatever position / role one is currently in.

Even in the lowest status of a literal slave bound in chains and subject to others, honor is the teaching.

This is a difficult teaching because people's faith can be quite weak when their eyes are on so many other things rather than the spiritual realities behind the physical obscurities.

Consider also how a man may gain the whole world... and still be a slave to sin!

Than man may believe himself 'free' yet their lifestyle may reflect a lack of restraint or a lack of honorable words and actions coming from them.

That man is likely bound in chains to the very things of this world (and the spirit of falsehood)... while reflecting all things earthly.

It is a teaching of humility and submission and peace the one found about slavery in the Gospel.

A teaching the faithful are taught in allowing God to bring about a 'freedom' that cannot be brought about by human effort.

Consider again Joseph and Daniel's rise and how that happened outside their will / direct efforts for freedom.

Now let Wisdom speak to your heart when you consider which position under God you'd prefer:

If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. 

   Whoever loves money never has enough; 

      whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. 

   This too is meaningless. 

As goods increase, 

   so do those who consume them. 

And what benefit are they to the owners 

   except to feast their eyes on them? 

The sleep of a laborer is sweet, 

   whether they eat little or much, 

      but as for the rich, their abundance 

   permits them no sleep. 

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: 

   wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 

      or wealth lost through some misfortune, 

   so that when they have children 

      there is nothing left for them to inherit. 

   Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, 

      and as everyone comes, so they depart. 

   They take nothing from their toil 

      that they can carry in their hands. 

   This too is a grievous evil: 

      As everyone comes, so they depart, 

   and what do they gain, 

      since they toil for the wind? 

         All their days they eat in darkness, 

      with great frustration, affliction and anger. 

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. 

- Ecclesiastes 5: 8-20