No Thanks

We love stories that revolve around someone who is underappreciated and then makes a comeback. A charming and generous but underappreciated man falls on hard times and is on the brink of suicide. Just in the nick of time his family and friends come to support him. Happy ending; all is well. An underappreciated lawman or doctor or coach or civic leader comes to a point of exhaustion, ready to give in, ready to give up. Then they dig deep within and try a little harder, just one more day. Circumstances change and they are rewarded for their inner strength and tenacity.

Not all stories of the underappreciated turn out so well. The underappreciated butler endures the ungrateful family he serves and in retaliation carefully launches a plan to steal the family’s wealth. The underappreciated policeman or government worker devotes a lifetime of service, but in the end lashes out violently against the system that has undervalued him.

There is within all of us a sense of justice or fairness. It comes from a belief that there should be balance in life. If a crime is committed, the criminal should be punished in a way that balances with (fits) the crime. (The Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” follows that kind of reasoning.)

When a person goes to work, he ought to be paid a fair wage. When a product is sold, it ought to be for a fair price. When you do a favor for a friend, he promises, “I owe you one,” a verbal gesture for a future equitable favor.

Of course, there are occasions in which we do not expect the favor to be returned. When a parent does something for his/her child fair payment is not expected. And yet, a parent can feel underappreciated when there is no thanks. Most of us expect appreciation, if in no other way, then by simple, heartfelt gratitude. And yet, Jesus told of a time when a person would not be shown gratitude?

“Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ” 

—Luke 17:7-10

Does this teaching seem odd to you?

Are you disappointed with its ending?

The master was not expected to give thanks to the servant because the slave was there to serve the master. When the slave did as the slave was expected he was accepted because all expectations were met. Yet, the slave receive no thanks, no bonus, no reward. Still yet, there were no inequities. Neither owed the other.

Jesus did not leave this teaching open to interpretation. He revealed the application to all who listened/read: We who are servants of Jesus ought to see ourselves as unworthy slaves. Our task is to fulfill our Master’s will. We may find satisfaction in knowing that we have done our Master’s will and received His acceptance.

We might not know what motivated this teaching. But it is especially applicable to those who whine and complain when they don’t receive attention for the service they offer in the Lord.

As a humble servant, give all glory to the Master.

Mark Stinnett

July 12, 2026