Occasionally, there are passages that “jump” from the Bible in total contrast to “greeting-card-type-quotes”. For example, when the disciples asked Jesus to “increase their faith”, He identified the power of “mustard seed” size faith; but then spoke this sobering truth:

“And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat?’ But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink?’ Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” – Luke 17:7-10 NKJV

Instead of a “me-oriented”, “I’m-the-center-of-the-universe” relationship with Jesus, He speaks as if there’s an expectation of dutiful service; because there is. And what’s more, he has a right to expect it. Yes, He loves us unconditionally, but He has also charged us to serve Him faithfully without an expectation for recognition or positional betterment.

What drives your service today? Does recognition play a role? Does the lack of it lessen your zeal? “We have done what was our duty to do…”