Just Doing My Duty

Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

We are a coddled society. We hope to be pampered, have a slap on the back and be given special recognition for every little thing we do.

Not so in Jesus' culture. A servant was expected to work and work hard. His reward was his pay. He didn't expect preferential treatment from the master.

I wonder why so many believers are under the impression that the trumpet is going to sound, they are going to stand before Christ at the judgment seat and be up for a ton of rewards. They seldom or never won a soul to Christ. They rarely lifted a finger in the service of the Master. They had a difficult time being faithful in the field. And yet, they expect heaven to be all about their comfort and reward.

My Bible tells me that some will be saved, yet, so as by fire. In other words, by the skin of their teeth. The Word teaches that if we do not bear the cross we cannot wear the crown. It says that only if we suffer with Him, then can we reign with Him.

The quality of heaven for us is determined by our faithfulness down here. Mansions are being prepared, but we've got to send our building materials on ahead.

I am afraid most preachers minister only because it is their chosen profession. It is a decent living for them. I suspect many Christians are in the service of the Lord to serve themselves.

Even when we have done our duty, our attitudes must be that we are merely unprofitable servants and whatever thanks and rewards that come our way are due only to the grace of the Almighty.