Humble Duty

Humble Duty

Words of Faith 10-31-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 17

    [7] "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.' "

        Jesus made it clear that on the journey of faith there are certain duties.  There is a duty to watch your life and avoid the skandelon or traps that we might inadvertently set for others.  There is a duty to rebuke, forgive, and restore.  There is also a duty to walk in the faith that we are given.  

        When the disciples asked Jesus for more faith, He answered that they needed not more faith but to plant the faith that they have.  Even the smallest amount of faith like a mustard seed, the smallest seed, could do amazingly miraculous things, such as uprooting a mulberry tree, a tree with deep roots. 

        But don't expect thanks.  These duties are to be fulfilled in humility. Disciples should not expect special praise for doing the things they were expected to do. A servant does not get special praise from his master for doing his job. Likewise disciples have certain responsibilities which they are to fulfill in humility as God's "unworthy servants.”  The Greek here is sobering; achreioi means "good for nothing.” 

        Don't misunderstand.  Jesus did not say that we are "good for nothing servants.”  But he did say that we should not think of ourselves any more highly that that.  We are not to carry pride about what we do for God.  We should not expect God's gratitude.  Paul reminds us that we are not to think too highly of ourselves but rather with sober judgment (Romans 12:3).  We are not to be caught up in selfish ambition or vain conceit but rather consider others better than ourselves (Philip. 2:3).  Part of our duty is to keep careful watch over the issue of pride.

       The truth is that we are the on the journey toward the destiny that God has for us.  We are going to come in from the field but not to sit at the table and eat or to be thanked.  We are coming in to wait upon the Master of the house.  If He invites us to the table that will be his business but we wait the table because it is our duty.   I am bound to this duty because my Savior paid my bill which I could not pay.  I owe Him everything!

        There is no place in the walk with God for entitlement.  There is no place for us to expect recognition or public gratitude.  There is no place for resentment or offense because we were not given credit or gratitude. It would be arrogant for us to pull up a chair at the Lord's table without invitation and even more arrogant to expect that He should wait upon us.  "The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day (Isaiah 2:11).

       Lord, give me the humility to serve You faithfully.  Keep me from thinking too highly of myself.  Give me the grace to serve faithfully even when there is no gratitude from others.  In Jesus' name.