June 15 Whatever You Do

Luke 17:7-10 “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
 
MANY Christians I know when thanked for serving God are humble to respond, “It is the Lord’s work. I am grateful I get to do this with him.”
    Such is Jesus’ point in this parable. Servants were expected to do their master’s bidding. No “Thank you.” was needed for a servant’s sense of well-being or acceptance. Service was their work. Dutiful humility was to be their mindset.
    Yes, it is appropriate to thank someone in the church who has prayed with you, taught you, cared for you or listened to you. Affirmation is a blessing to those who labor in God’s kingdom fields. But such words are to be offered to God’s servants with the understanding the servant comes from the Master. He has appointed them to serve. They have obediently said, “Yes, Lord.” And you have received their work. Jesus’ point is that our thankfulness must be ultimately directed to the Lord for his attention to you through such disciples.
    Strive to live, then, in that mindset Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
    These are extraordinary words to live out in our faith. Jesus taught these principles. Paul was anointed to expand them. You are miraculously called to live into these words.  Humbly, lovingly, gratefully, live for Jesus in the name of Jesus. As you respond to his call, remember with joy, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.”  Your Master has done his duty to the cross. The Spirit has chosen you to serve the Father’s eternal household.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for calling and directing me to serve you. I pray I do so in Jesus’ servant way. Amen.