The Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. 2 Samuel 9:11
Is there a secret to success?
Ziba is an interesting character in the Bible who seemed to learn a secret: It is sometimes better to live as a humble servant than as a conquering king.
Ziba was a servant in King Saul's household. After the death of his master, he seemed to be doing pretty well for himself. He had fifteen sons and twenty servants of his own. Yet one day, the new king summoned him and gave him a new job. He was now given the responsibility, along with his sons, to serve Mephibosheth, the grandson of his former master, King Saul.
If I had been in Ziba's shoes, I might have been a tad resentful. Here I am, succeeding on my own, and the new boss assigns me to take care of my old boss' grandson! Yet Ziba didn't hesitate. He accepted the assignment willingly, without complaint.
Eventually, Ziba's humility paid off. The land that King David gave back to Mephibosheth, the land that Ziba was now charged to work, would one day be given to Ziba and his sons. Ziba's faithfulness as a servant was awarded with an inheritance for future generations.
Lord, help me to faithfully accept the tasks I am assigned. Make me a servant who willingly carries out my job - knowing that someday it might be rewarded. Chasing success is never as successful as quietly achieving it. Let me be seen as one who succeeded by serving You.