The Unprofitable Servants

A servant who comes in from the field does not expect his master to wait on him. In the same way, Jesus said, after doing all we are told we should say, 'We are unprofitable servants.'

Jesus asked his disciples to picture a servant coming in from plowing or feeding cattle. No master would tell him to sit down to supper at once; instead he would say, 'Make ready wherewith I may sup,' and only afterward let the servant eat. Nor would the master thank him for doing what he was commanded. 'So likewise ye,' Jesus said, 'when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.' Spoken just after he taught about forgiveness and faith, the parable guards disciples against pride in their own obedience.

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Category: Prayer & Humility

Meaning: Faithful service earns no special credit before God; obedience is simply our duty, and every reward is grace.

Audience: Disciples

Key Chapters

Luke 17 Faith, Duty, and Gratitude 5 min read Jesus teaches his disciples to serve without a sense of entitlement, saying, 'We...

Key Passages

We Have Done Our Duty

Luke 17:7-10

Jesus teaches his disciples to serve without a sense of entitlement, saying, 'We are unprofitable servants.'

B⁷ut which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

⁸ And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? ⁹ Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. ¹⁰ So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.