Jesus often used the master-servant relationship in His parables to teach his disciples important principles concerning their service to God. For example, He illustrated the importance of forgiveness in the parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Mt 18:21-35). He condemned the mercenary spirit of service in the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Mt. 20:1-16). And the parable of the Talents stresses the need for faithful and fruitful service. Once again, Jesus uses that same master-servant motif in the parable of the Unprofitable Servants (Lk 17:7-10). In this parable he is demonstrating an important attitude to be found in his disciples; both in His day and our own. In thinking about this parable, it might be well to ask ourselves: What should be my attitude about the service that I render to God?
Let’s consider the context of the parable itself. It may appear that this parable is disconnected to what preceded it. However, in describing the power of faith (Lk 17:5-6), it would be easy for the disciples, and perhaps us, to fall into a snare of pride. This parable would certainly help keep things in the proper perspective.
Jesus challenges his apostles, and us, to consider how they, and we, would act toward a servant (or, in our case, an employee). As master, none of them would be expected to invite the servant to sit down and eat with them. As master, any one of them would expect the servant to prepare his meal and serve him, eating only after he is done. As master, none of them would likely thank the servant for doing what has been commanded of him. So they are to view themselves in regards to what they do as servants. When they have done that which they were commanded, they should view themselves as unprofitable servants. That is, they have simply done their duty as servants— doing nothing worthy of merit.
Let’s see if we can apply this to our times. If we go shopping for the perfect pair of shoes, we walk into a shoe store. We don’t go into the stockroom. We expect the clerk to go into the stockroom, find our selection and bring back the right color and size. We try on a number of shoes; some try on more than others. However, when we finish, we don’t put the shoes away and carry them back into the stockroom. We take the shoe that we have selected and go to the cash register to make payment. The clerk than packages the shoes and we can go home with a big smile on our face. That is to be expected. We don’t try forage in the back for the shoes. We don’t ask the clerk to try them on for us. We don’t pay ourselves for the shoes (though that wouldn’t be too bad of an idea in my opinion). The clerk serves us as we make our decision and selection.
Finally, after the sale is made, the clerk doesn’t begrudge the fact that he or she has done exactly what he or she was paid for. He doesn’t think—boy, if only that customer had gone back to the stockroom and selected their own shoes. And she doesn’t think—wow, I am so upset that they didn’t purchase that shoe for me. Each individual—customer and clerk—does what is expected of them and has no right to claim that they should receive more for what they did. Each has done his or her duty —nothing worthy of great merit; just the status quo.
Now, this parable is not intended to present the “proper attitude” of the “master.” Jesus is, instead, depicting the normal expectation of a master to make this point. Earlier in the gospel of Luke, Jesus describes what he himself will do as master. Instead, this parable is illustrating the proper attitude of the servant. When all that is commanded is done, we have not earned or merited anything. We have simply done that which is our duty as servants. Whatever reward we might receive is due to the grace of God, not solely the merit of our activity. The parable illustrates the attitude we should have toward our own service to God. Since we were “bought at a price,” we are truly servants and should have the proper attitude of servitude.
In other words, this parable stresses the need for obedience. We shouldn’t be patting ourselves on the back whenever we follow a commandment. This is something that is nothing more than our due. It is something that we owe to God as a child of God. No matter how many commandments we fulfill, no matter how many times we act on behalf and for God, we are only fulfilling our due—nothing more, nothing less.
When it all comes down to it, perhaps you could sum up this parable as one describing HUMILITY. It reminds us that we are nothing more than unprofitable servants who make mistakes —sometimes the same ones—over and over and over again. However, so long as we love God and do what he desires, then we can at least do what He expects of us and recognize that we are and remain part of the family of God.
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