“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.” (Luke 17:10)
There is no room for pride in the Christian life. Though we win countless crowns, they will all be flung one day at the feet of Him who worked every good thing in us. God gives those who live for His pleasure a satisfaction of soul that cannot be found anywhere else. It is not the smug satisfaction of “feeling good about ourselves.” No, it is the deep spiritual peace and joy that comes when we are giving Him His due.
Religious people seek to convince themselves, others, and God that they are pious. They pride themselves on the noble and spiritual things they are doing. They can’t help admiring themselves and hoping others will also see their “good” deeds. They look less for God’s reward and more for man’s praise.
But Jesus let His disciples know that this type of self-regard had no place in the life of a servant. Our left hand should not know what our right hand is doing. (Matt. 6:3) What the eyes of men see or their mouths say should be inconsequential to us. We are to labor for our Master from sun up to sun down without a thought as to how well or how much we have done for Him.
And if we are so focused on our Lord in this life, we will one day discover that His eyes were upon our every movement. He saw what we did for Him. He saw our labor of love. He saw our single eye. At last, we will cease from our labors and enter into our rest. And we will win our greatest reward when we hear those words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord!”