DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- STROKES

DAD'S RAMBLLINGSW STROKES

" '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.'" (Luke 17:10)

Jesus was teaching his disciples in response to a request by the disciples, "Lord, increase our faith" (vs. 5). Jesus' response was not what the disciples were expecting. Jesus said that if they had just a little faith, they could do miracles. It seems that Jesus knew that the reason they wanted to have faith to do miracles was so that they could claim bragging rights: "Look what we did."

Jesus then gave a teaching about being a servant. A servant, after working hard all day in the field, should not expect that his master would then invite him to dinner. Rather, the servant would then prepare and serve the master's dinner before he himself was fed. The servant did not expect to be praised and appreciated for going the extra mile. That was just what servants did. It was a part of their job. It was not something they could brag about or expect extra reward for.

Human nature feels the need to be appreciated, to be stroked, to be patted on the back, and hear the words, "Good job!" That's just the way we are. We feel used and abused when we are not appreciated. Remember the women's lib movement in the 1980's when housewives went on strike because they didn't feel appreciated?

We should indeed give honor where honor is due, and give thanks for good work. But Jesus said that is not what the motivation of a servant should be. Whether we are appreciated or not should not determine whether or not we serve well.

Remember the admonition of the Apostle Paul, who said, "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is slave or free" (Ephesians 6:5-7). And again, he wrote, "Bondservants, obey in all thing your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:22-25). In other words, whatever I do should be the best I can do, not just because the boss is watching, but because I am doing it as unto Christ.

If my service depends on whether people appreciate me or give me strokes, then I have missed the calling of a servant. If I do my service as unto the Lord, it will not matter if other people note it or appreciate me because the Lord will reward. We serve the Lord Christ.

Love, Dad