Lk 17:7-10
Unprofitable servants: Luke reminds the members of his community that they are servants, who have no claim on God’s graciousness. They are exhorted by Jesus to do their duty as his followers.
A person who has a servant, who functions both as a farm hand and as a shepherd, employs the servant to wait on him. The name “servant” appropriately designates a role. When the servant comes in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, the master does not invite the servant to table. Instead the servant is asked to wait on the master who eats and drinks. Only afterwards may the servant eat and drink. This is what a servant is supposed to do—serve the person for whom he works. No thanks is owed the servant for what he is commanded. The servant is only fulfilling his role as servant.
The Lucan application to his Christian community follows: “So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what were obliged to do’ ” (v 10). The amount of faith that God has given is sufficient to do what God asks. God gives enough faith to a person to fulfill his or her role as servant.
However, a servant is not able to do more than is required. There is no room for any type of moral superiority. God gives the gift of faith, which enables people (servants) to influence others properly and to forgive unlimitedly. Everyone, however, is reduced to the same equal status—that of servant. No servant can ever go beyond what God expects.