We are unprofitable servants

It is true that we are important for God, but another very certain thing is that we must understand our position as a useless servant, we can not have the mentality that what we have things because we deserve it, but that all that God allows us to have is pure grace. There are some words that the book of Psalms says about how great God is and how tiny we are and yet the Most High visits us:

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Job 8:4

A great example of how God being so great can be interested in us is to think that an elephant is friend of an ant, certainly the ant is almost invisible compared to an elephant and it seems crazy to think of a friendship like that, however, of the same way, God being so great, being so powerful and holy has chosen us and has decided to put His gaze on us.

Now dear brothers, let us imagine that we are like an ant before God, this means that the whole scenario is for God, that all the glory is for Him and not for us.

Jesus spoke to His disciples saying those things they could do if they had faith, but later He reminded them that glory is only for God:

9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

10 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 17:9-10

My brothers, let us not believe that doing the work of God, such as evangelizing, going to the temple early, etc. they make us be the main character, but when we do all that we only have to say: What I should have done, I am useless servant.

All glory, honor and majesty be given to God and not to ourselves.

When we meditate deeply on these teachings, we realize that recognizing ourselves as unprofitable servants does not diminish our worth; rather, it places us in the correct perspective before a holy and sovereign God. Understanding this truth allows us to walk with humility, gratitude, and reverence. Many times human beings tend to exalt their own abilities, their achievements, and even their ministry work, but the Scriptures remind us that everything we accomplish is because God enables us, strengthens us, and guides our steps.

The greatest danger of forgetting our condition as servants is falling into spiritual pride. When pride enters the heart, we stop seeing God as the source of all blessing, and we begin to think that our efforts, discipline, or intelligence are the basis of our success. Yet the Bible constantly teaches that without God we can do nothing. Even our ability to obey Him is a product of His grace working in us.

Throughout the Bible we find examples of men and women who understood this truth. Moses, although a great leader, always recognized his dependence on God. David, despite being king, humbled himself before the Lord and acknowledged that every victory belonged to Him. Even the apostles, after witnessing miracles and signs, declared themselves servants of Christ, understanding that all power came from the Spirit of God and not from themselves.

When Jesus taught His disciples about servanthood, He was shaping their character so that they would never glory in themselves but always direct every act of praise to God. This is a powerful lesson for us today. Every time we serve in the church, every time we help someone, preach, teach, or participate in ministry, we must remember that we are simply instruments in the hands of the Master. He is the one who works through us, and therefore all glory belongs to Him.

To live as unprofitable servants is to live with a heart that recognizes that everything good comes from above. It is to walk with gratitude, knowing that even though we are small, God has chosen to visit us, love us, and use us for His purpose. And although we are insignificant before His greatness, His love dignifies us and His grace sustains us every day.

May we always remember that God does not seek our greatness, but our obedience; not our pride, but our humility; not that we shine, but that Christ shines through us. Let us continue serving with joy, but always confessing: “We are unprofitable servants; we have only done what was our duty to do.”