35th Thankful Thursday: Indebted servants

My interpersonal communications class learned when we are in relationships where we either over-benefit or under-benefit much more than the other person, we often feel uncomfortable and want the relationship to change.

Later that day, I was reading my Book of Mormon. A new facet of one of my favorite passages of scripture was illuminated in light of what I’d learned in class.

In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin knows he is about to die. He gathers his people and speaks to them for the last time. He confers the kingdom to his son, Mosiah, and teaches the people about their relationships to each other and God.

“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

…I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments...therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?” Mosiah 2: 17-25

King Benjamin describes the ultimate in over-benefit. No matter how much I love and serve God, He is always going to immediately reciprocate by blessing me. I am indebted unto Him, “and will be, forever and ever”. I am in grateful awe: awe of His goodness, mercy, and love, and gratitude He is my Master.

I do want my relationship with God to change. I want to do and be better so He benefits at least some from my mortal efforts.

This week: Who is someone you feel indebted to, and why?