TUESDAY, MARCH 6
Luke 17:7-10
Colossians 3:22-25

“…obey in all things your masters
…in singleness of heart, fearing God.”

THE VIRTUE OF EARNEST SERVICE

Earnestness is an ardour or zeal in the pursuit to do something. Jesus said that when we serve God we must do it with eagerness. He gave an example of a servant who willingly went to plough and feed the cattle of his master. He came back in time to do other errands for his master such as the preparation of his meal. Likewise, the servant of God must not be lazy and impede the work of the Lord.

Jesus further described the earnest obedience of the servant. After a hard day’s work, he did not complain when he was requested to do other assigned tasks. He fully understood that those were part of his duty. He had to fulfil what was required of him before he could rest. A Christian must serve God in obedience to His Word. He must pray that he will obey God’s commands to the jot and tittle. Calvin wisely commented, “The object of this parable is to show that God claims all that belongs to us as his property, and possesses an entire control over our persons and services; and, therefore, that all the zeal that may be manifested by us in discharging our duty does not lay him under obligation to us by any sort of merit; for, as we are his property, so he on his part can owe  us nothing.”

When all serving was done, Jesus highlighted the humility of the servant. The servant must not come before God boasting of his works but must humbly recognize the truth that all he has done was part of his duty and nothing more. Christians must realize we cannot exceed the work God requires of us. All we can do is to try to fulfil all our duties with earnestness by the Holy Spirit who works in our lives.

Are we waiting on our Lord to serve Him with our best? When we serve we must not expect to receive thanks, for it is our duty to serve. We must serve Him so long as we have life.

THOUGHT: Am I doing my best for Jesus?
PRAYER: Lord, may I seek opportunities always to serve Thee.