Thanks, But No Thanks

"'Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.'" - Luke 17:9

I know that God calls us to imitate His servanthood, knowing that most of the time we won't recieve any recognition of gratitude from man. But at times, when I serve someone I find myself waiting for those two words: "Thank you." To know that they appreciate what I have done for them. And when I don't hear those words I begin to complain about the person, saying to myself, "Wow. No thank you. What a jerk."

I have found the reason why I wanted that "Thank you" in the first place, it's becauase I wanted to know that the person acknowledge me for doing such a "selfless" act, so they could recognize what a "great" servant I am. I wanted to be glorified.

I wanted all the glory, forgetting who it rightfully belonged to; God. I just wanted that as my reward for my deed. But man's praise is so temporary, even if the crowd were to stand up and applaud for me serving I'll later find them sitting back down returning to their conversation, forgetting what I've done as if it never happened.

There are rewards that are eternal though. It comes from God and only God. No tip, or "Thank you" will ever compare to it. To obtain these rewards you have you have to have the right motives in your heart and that is to serve God and glorify Him.

Application: I remember Margret saying that if we don't have a desire to do something for God we can ask Him for that desire and He'll give it to us. So since I still struggle with this, I will pray for God to give me a desire to serve only to glorify Him, I will also go over the beatitudes tonight.