Luke12:47-48 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

What spurs you to action? Is it love or fear? Is it reward or punishment? I am not a motivational speaker, so my list will be short. Only you know what causes you to act. Or not. Motivation can be a driving force or it can be a reasoning force. Whether driven or pulled, service is very much a part of the Christian experience.

I have in my life run across servants that were too busy for me. Those people fall into two categories. The first is busy because there is no one else equipped to do the work. The second is the one who is ill prepared. Before you try and say equipped and prepared are the same thing, please think on this. The Lord equips, we prepare.

Both are in danger of the same thing, neglecting self-maintenance. Think of self here as being a tool for the Lord. Blades get dulled and need to be taken out of service to be sharpened. If there is not another set of blades to fill in during this process, those being served suffer. Blades abused break, none of us want that.

There are two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs and two lips for a reason. None one servant should be expected to give so much as to be neglected themselves.

Those who are given much and those who are given little both have the same responsibility to perform self-maintenance according to the service manual.

Philippians 2:19-20 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

It is an age old problem only you can solve.

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

“Give him his dues.”

That is what we say don’t we? He has earned his spot. He worked hard to get where he is in life. His reputation is well earned. Even if it is a salary, being paid to do a job, your rendering is a matter of earning the wage you signed up for in the beginning. If you do not render profit, you have not earned your wage and you are subject to dismissal. It is all the sense of owing.

That is a change from the origin of the word according to the Hebrew usage. In various designs the meaning of render in the Old Testament was meant to be a returning of that which was lost. To return, to turn back, to repent was the original design. It was to restore back to God that which was lost to Him.

Over the years Israel tried to render unto God and kept failing. Continually man made daily sacrifices to a God who had no use for sacrifice. Why do I say that? Because God did not keep them.

Numbers 18:9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of their’s, every meat offering of their’s, and every sin offering of their’s, and every trespass offering of their’s which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

He gave His portion to the priests who did not share in the inheritance of the land, God was their portion. Ref. Numbers 18:24

So why the change? Why did the meaning and intent of render change?

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

God came in the incarnate Christ and took back unto Himself that which was lost to Him. This changed everything, forever.