Just Doin’ My Job
January 8th, 2010 by Angela
“We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.” Luke 17:10(b).
How often do you serve in your local church or give financially to other ministries and feel like someone needs to take notice and acknowledge all of your back breaking work? Doesn’t it feel swell when someone recognizes all of your sacrifices and dedication, and tells you what a fine job you are doing and how much they appreciate you? Most often, than not, most of our serving the Lord, goes on quietly, behind the scenes, where no one ever sees all the hours that we log for Him. No one ever notices what we do or commends us on our work. We’re not on a paid staff somewhere. We’re just the nursery worker, the guitarist in the worship band, or heaven forbid, the janitor!
Should we become bitter and quit? Should we wonder why we bother, and figure it isn’t worth it? Get mad or bent out of shape? Sadly, some do. However, this verse in Luke 17:10 is Jesus’ gentle reminder to us about what type of attitude we should put on; an attitude of humbleness and servitude. “We are unworthy slaves.” Unworthy – from the Greek word – achreios – meaning ‘one who has been set aside and is no more useful.’ Ouch. Not just unworthy. We’re useless. Jesus didn’t mince words, did he?
Many times, we want to share God’s glory with Him, and say, “look here – see what I have done,” when it is clearly God working through us in Christ Jesus. John 15:5 says clearly, that we can do nothing without Jesus. We are useless clay vessels, without the Glory of God shining through us! But, oh, when He shines His magnificent Glory through us, what ambassadors for Christ Jesus we make! We become light, drawing others to Jesus and the way of salvation! The power is of God, not from ourselves! And in this way, “My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8.
“We have done only that which we ought to have done.” That part of this Scripture couldn’t be any more plain. Whatever sacrifice we have made on Christ’s behalf; whatever time, effort or money we have given, it’s only what we should have done anyway!
Will it all be for naught, then? Oh, definitely not! “Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon remains, he shall receive a reward.” I Corinthians 3:13-14. There are many more Scriptures about our reward, but this one shows that our work matters. I believe each man’s work is referring to our fruit – the person(s) that we have shared Christ Jesus with and have spent time discipling. Will your fruit be saved, or just yourself (v. 15)? It is a sobering question, indeed, and one that we should probably focus on more than we do!
I heard someone say once, that he watched what happened to his fruit’s fruit. If HIS fruit produced good fruit of its own, then it indicated that his fruit was good, because it was producing good quality fruit as well. That’s what our goal should be! Nothing to be thanked for, for we are just doing our jobs that we are called to do!
I’m not saying we shouldn’t encourage one another in Christ, and that there is no room for showing our appreciation to those who serve tirelessly, year after year, with dedication and commitment to the cause of Christ. I write, only to remind myself, and others, that the praise of others is not to our glory, but to God, whose ‘surpassing greatness’ of His power is working through us in Christ Jesus. We are just dust. We are unworthy slaves, just doing our jobs! God is the Creator. The Potter. The one and only God of the universe, whose name is YHWH! He is to be praised and adored. He has provided a way of salvation through the Lord Messiah Jesus, so that we may inherit eternal life. Our job is to shine God’s glory and message so brightly, that people will see it, hear it, repent, be baptized and be saved.
“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” I Corinthians 4:1. We are but slaves of Christ Jesus. Let us be reminded today by this simple little phrase that Jesus spoke, that we are only doing what we are called to do in Christ Jesus, for him, through him, and because of him. Carry on, soldier of the Lord!
Angela,
Fine article, and thank you for the reminder. When we look for the approval of others it seldom happens and our righteous deeds become empty and vain. You reminded me of these words from the Sermon on the Mount:
God is the one who rewards us. When we render service voluntarily with the right heart, this is worship and God receives it.
Good article and apt response, Sean. We only have to look at the world and see often “they have their reward.” I remember one afternoon show where the host announced to the world he was giving one million dollars to a charity. In accordance with the scripture above, “he had his reward,” the praise of men.
On that same note, tho, how do we handle giving in church today. Often I find myself giving a check and then at the end of the year getting the standard notice whereby I can get the tax deduction. In so doing “am I getting my reward from the world?” Would it be better to giving cash anonymously, disregard the write off, or by doing so are we simply obeying the “authorities” as we are instructed to do.
Often we encounter people who are so humber in their servitude they take great pride in it by constantly letting others know how humble they are. Verses 16 and 17 address that I would suppose.
As we are not praised by the authorities for simply “obeying” the law, we should not seek out the praise of man in the work place nor in our church for as Angela remarked, “we are just doing our jobs that we are called to do!”
Randy,
Good questions to raise. I think the matter turns on the heart behind the act. If we give to be seen by others then we have our reward. But, if we give out of love for God and neighbor or enemy then God will reward. Personally, I don’t see any problem with receiving a tax benefit from the empire…so long as we are not giving by check so that someone will think we are so great. Besides, if we pay less in taxes then there will be more for giving, right?
Angela, Sean, Randy,
What great points. I’m reminded of the change in maturity in the lives of the original apostles. In the gospels they heard Jesus’ emphasis on humility, motivation to honor God, etc. Nevetheless, they constantly were baited into debate over who would be the greatest or who would get positions of honor in the coming kingdom.
In the book of Acts one can see dramatic changes of heart in evidence, like Peter saying: …why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? – Acts 3: 12b
The Christian family is the place where godly reminders like these help us to overcome the prideful tendencies that are so “natural” to humans.
It seems to be by this that who a man seeks to please or receive praise from is evidence of who is his master. Yet how contrary it is for a sinner, for as they seek to please others, they will seldom be
their servants. Sin always causes a man to be contrary to everything that is good. Christ in God will deliver us from such contradiction.
Do you ever praise God in hopes that others will do the same?
I’ve often been there before, but Jesus came to serve rather than be served, as our example.