Our Duty

Luke 17: 7 - 10

7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded [a]him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

In these scriptures Jesus gives us a parable of a bondservant. In that day and time many people employed servants and even owned slaves.  Jesus gives a picture of a servant carrying about the duties of the household for his employer. The servant had several tasks to complete: it was his job.  

The question Jesus poses is, “Should the servant be thanked for the work he does?” (paraphrasing).  This parable shows that the servant isn’t thanked or commended for his hard work.  Then Jesus gives us a powerful message, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded say, “We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was our duty to do.’”

Dear Lord, help us to do our duty for You.  You are worthy of it all!