Not in my case, it comes from the contemporary Austrian usage.
The sign off to a communication is to the person or persons addressed; my case, fellow FReepers.
Given a civilized view point, one might humbly submit one’s facts, information, and commentary to the addressee(s) for their honest consideration. Which is the intent for which I addressed them, in response to their previous commentary.
Stating to the addressee that a submission is made in Servus, indicates that is is made in good will with all honest humility, to them, to further the conversation toward TRUTH.
As my father wrote on the barn walls with carpenter chalk in German, “I SERVE” in all humility, and with all integrity for the honest and hard work he did for the greater good; I sometimes sign off SERVUS, meaning I humbly serve my readers, with whatever facts, information, and commentary I can provide; and that such submission is made in all good will. How that can be construed to be a negative, I for one certainly can’t imagine. There are many posters here who treat fellow FReepers with far less regard.
I SERVE. [is that better?]