Bad servants are characterised by disobedience, idleness and dishonesty.
Characteristics of bad servants
Idleness
2 Thessalonians 3:11 See also Proverbs 18:9; Matthew 25:24–30 parallel Luke 19:20–26
For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.
Dishonesty
Luke 16:12 See also Genesis 21:25; Leviticus 6:2; 2 Kings 5:20–25; Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22
And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own?
Disloyalty
Luke 16:13 See also 2 Samuel 19:24–27; John 10:13; Acts 27:30
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Quarrelsomeness
Matthew 24:48–49 See also Genesis 13:7, Genesis 26:20; Matthew 18:23–30
But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
Discontentment
Luke 3:14 See also Matthew 20:9–15
Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”
Refusing correction
Examples of bad servants
Ziba: 2 Samuel 16:1–4, 2 Samuel 19:26–29; 1 Kings 2:39 Shimei's slaves; 1 Kings 16:9–10 Zimri; 2 Kings 5:19–27 Gehazi; Job 19:16 Job's servants; Philemon 1:8–16 Onesimus was a bad servant who became good.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.