A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (November 18, 2015)
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? 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? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow (think) not. 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. (Luke 17:7-10)
This parable is another great example of the importance of reading and understanding what preceded the parable. In Luke 17:5 the Apostles came to Jesus and asked Him to increase their faith. He responded by saying if they had faith as a grain of a mustard seed they could say to a sycamore tree to be plucked up by the root and cast into the sea and it would be done. In other words, more faith is not what they needed. Jesus then shared this parable with them.
One of the most important lessons you and I can learn from the parables is that Jesus is more concerned with the motives of our heart than He is with our accomplishments, position, or stature. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
Jesus looked at His Apostles in the same way. Remember when James and John requested to sit at His right and left hand in Heaven (Mark 10:37). Not good! The Apostles were just men with the same carnal tendencies that you and I have. In this parable, Jesus is exploring how we relate to and how we treat people that work for us. Are we lording it over them? Are we concerned with the condition of their spirit, soul, and body? Are we just concerned with what they can do for us, or what level they can help us reach, or how much profit we can make as a result of their work?
Jesus, and His Word, is always going to be examining your heart in this area. You never see Jesus abusing His position as King of Kings and you always see Him living out the “servant of all” principle.
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:35)
Pay close attention to what the Apostles asked for in this parable and what Jesus said about it. The Apostles asked Jesus to be give them more faith. Jesus said, 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. This is what I personally think Jesus was saying to the Apostles who were indicating they were unprofitable due to the lack of faith. You already have enough faith. You need to examine your heart. You think you deserve more faith just because you have done what you were told to do? You are too focused on your own rewards versus the people that you are called to minister to. You call yourselves unprofitable because you think you deserve more than has been given you which means you are not satisfied with what you have been given. Check your hearts!!!
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:3)
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. (Psalm 65:4)
There is a fine line between being thirsty for the things of God and being greedy for your own personal gain or stature. That line is always made more visible by how you treat other people. If you are using people for your own gain, then don’t expect the Lord to agree with it and bless it. If you are truly concerned with the total welfare of others, then God will get on-board and bless your work. He is in the people business, and so should we be.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (1 Corinthians 9:19)
