DAY 68
Pastor Harry Bates
Scripture
Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, “Come along now and sit down to eat”? Won’t he rather say, “Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink”? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 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.” - Luke 17:7-10
Today, Pastor Harry reminds us that in our Western culture, this thought of servitude—of doing what you are told to do—is repulsive to many people; but it was the norm for those in Jesus’ day. In this passage Jesus asks a much larger question of the disciples: “Is the Master indebted to the servant because of everything the servant has done for the Master?”
In the same way, God is not indebted to us because we serve Him, worship Him, or surrender our lives to Him. We don’t serve God to receive from Him; we serve God because He is God. He commands; we obey. We were created for His glory to do His will.
A gift’s value increases immensely when the recipient knows that the giver wants nothing in return, but gives the gift simply out of love. Similarly, our motive behind our service to God is what matters.
Question: Why are you serving God? Are you serving Him for a reward, to get something back from Him? Do you think or feel that God owes you something, or are you serving Him just because He is God?
Prayer Starter: Jesus, may my thoughts, my words, and my actions today remain humbly in alignment with Your will for my life. I choose today to honor You in all things, without seeking a reward for obedience. You are God, and I am not.
Family Chat: Today’s Question, Prayer Starter, and Take Action are great conversation and prayer starters for today’s Family Chat!
Take Action: Check the “why” behind your “what.” Why do you choose to serve, to tithe, or to give of your time and talents? Talk to your accountability partner about it.
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