Parable · Luke 17:7-10
The Unworthy Servants
A servant who has done his work does not expect to be thanked for doing his work.
Also called We Have Only Done Our Duty
The point
Uncomfortable in a culture built on recognition. Duty, here, is not a grievance.
7Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?
8Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?
9Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told?
10So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Read the whole chapter
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 27 Year CGospel, Luke 17:5-10
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The parable of the Unworthy Servants, explained in plain words. A servant doing his job doesn’t expect thanks for it. https://freescripture.org/parables/unworthy-servants/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church
More on counting the cost
The Wise and Foolish Builders Two houses, one on rock and one on sand. The same storm hits both.Counting the Cost A man builds a tower without pricing it out. A king marches to war outnumbered.The Barren Fig Tree An owner wants to cut down a tree that has not fruited in three years. The gardener asks for one more year.New Wine in Old Wineskins You do not patch old cloth with new, or pour new wine into brittle old skins.