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INTRODUCTION. In this parable of the unprofitable servants, there is a glimpse of the
master-servant relationship during New Testament times. A slave was expected to do
whatever his master commanded. When he had performed all that his master commanded, he did not receive any thanks, for he had done only his duty.
The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus told his disciples if they had faith as a grain of mustard seed, they could tell a tree to uproot itself, plant itself in the sea, and it would obey. Jesus then told his disciples this parable to illustrate what it means to be a servant.
Servants do not work for rewards, they work for their master because it is their duty. In
the same manner we are the servants of God. When we have done all we possibly can for the kingdom of God, we have done only that which is our duty. We are saved by the grace of God through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). We can never earn our salvation, for it is the gift of God, not payment for our services.
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