MAY 8

Luke 17:7-10
Memorise Luke 17:10
“say, we are unprofitable servants”

This parable likens the relationship between God and His children to that of a master and his bond slave. Servants in the days of Christ were slaves who toiled and lived completely for their master. After ploughing or feeding the sheep and cattle, the servant returns home to continue to serve his Master and wait on him. His work is never done, and he cannot expect a moment of rest even though he had laboured in the fields all day. It would also be most unseemly for the servant to sit and eat at the same table as his master. Instead he is expected to be standing, waiting at his master’s every beck and call. He has no rights of his own, and does not expect any thanks or reward for the services rendered.

Similarly, in Christ’s service, there is never a time when we cease to be His bondservants. We are always His, always at His disposal, always ready to do what He wants us to do. He is a gracious Master and we count it a privilege to serve Him. At the same time, it is important that we should never think that our service is so valuable, and become proud of what we have done. When we have done all that Christ asks of us, we are still “unprofitable servants”. Why is that so? This is because our best services are mingled with imperfections. We come short of the excellences that a great God merits. We do not serve Him as sincerely, as cheerfully, and as faithfully as we ought. In the midst of our service, we sin. We show our displeasure at others who are slow or uncooperative. We are impatient with those who make our work difficult. Where is our love and understanding?

Since we owe everything to God, it follows that God is not obligated to reward us for any of our services. Saved and redeemed by God’s grace and mercy, we are to serve Him all the days of our lives, never expecting gain and reward. After all, the greatest gift has already been given to us – salvation so rich and free!

Dear teen, are we able to serve the Lord with the same diligence and humility as shown by the servant in the parable? Do we see all that we do as the reasonable service that we render to the gracious God who has saved us and granted us eternal life?

Thought: God is no man’s debtor.
Prayer: Lord, help me to realise how much I owe to You and may I always serve You out of a grateful heart.