Luke 17:7-10: What Does God Owe You?

"So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say,

'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty." Luke 17:10

Today, I want to answer the following question: what does God owe us? Many times, we believe that our obedience makes us deserve something from God, as if our adherence to his commands buys us some sort of merit. But is this the pattern of the Gospel? Can we really buy God's privileges?

This morning, we find ourselves diving into a marvelous 4-verse parable that I hope will help us answer our question for this morning. In this parable, we find Jesus teaching, and he asks a rhetorical question: "Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?" What Jesus is saying here is this: for those of you who are slave-owners, don't you give your slaves a break at the end of the day after their long, hard work? Don't you let them eat at your table alongside you? At first, the obvious answer to this question might be "yes," but what Jesus is implying here is that the answer is "no," which we see in verse 8. In the culture of that time, it was normal for your servant to serve dinner for you, that is, to work for you throughout the entirety of the day. Although this might seem oppressive, let us realize that that is not the point of the parable (nor is this parable permitting "slavery" in the sense in which we see it in American history--slavery/servanthood in the Bible was very, very different!). Remember, many of these servants had most likely willingly subjected themselves to their masters, and masters were supposed to treat them with respect. Nevertheless, if we continue the story, we find the point of the parable.

In verses 8-9, we find the point that Jesus is trying to make in the parable. Read his question in verse 9: "Does [the slave-owner] thank the servant because he did what was commanded?" In other words, what Jesus is asking is this: does the slave-owner show immense appreciation and give a paycheck to the one who did what he was merely supposed to do? Does he reward his servant for doing exactly what he was told? Once again, the implied answer is "no," which Jesus elaborates on and applies to us, His servants, in verse 10: "So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."

Though the specifics of the story may be difficult to explain (though I have tried to do so fairly!), the point is evident in verse 10: those who are unworthy servants ought not to expect a reward from their obedience. Yet, let us realize this morning how this is often how we come to God. Often, we think that our church-going, Bible-reading, and evangelizing buys us favor and blessing from God. Yet, if we take a step back and look at the big picture, is this what we see in the pattern of the Gospel? Although there is certainly great, biblical teachings on an eternal reward, we must realize God never owes us any reward or blessing. Let us remember the pattern of the Gospel: we were dead, but God saved us and empowered us to do his will. Thus, why would we ever go back to God and ask him to repay us for what we have "accomplished" for him? Is it not himself who has done all of the work inside of us, empowering our obedience? And has he not already blessed us enough already by saving our souls from what they deserved?

So, let's take this home this morning. When's the last time you thought you were a "worthy" servant before the LORD Almighty? When's the last time you thought you deserved something from him because of all of your "hard work" of obedience? Let us realize this morning, brothers and sisters, that our God owes us nothing. We are merely "unworthy servants" who have obtained the privilege to serve at his feet. Though we are certainly not pawns in his hand, neither are we righteous laborers who deserve a paycheck at the end of the day, as if we are buying God's grace. For to believe in this is to believe in an antigospel, yet I think we are tempted to believe in this every day.

So, let me encourage you this morning: go out and obey the Lord's commands. Go to church, read your Bible, and evangelize. Yet at the end of the day, don't ask God for your paycheck. Rather, pray to him and say, "Lord, I am an unworthy servant, and I have only done what is my duty. Thank you for giving me the privilege to serve you, and let me never long for anything else. Amen!"