quote:

ORIGINAL: Calandra

You'll have to take My word that I'm not attacking you, rather that I am attacking an idea that you put forth....
 
If someone claims to want to serve Me. If they offer their body, heart, mind and soul to Me, then I feel I have the right to ask then to learn something for Me. Their interest in the subject may or may not be there, that's not the issue. Not everything I ask of them will be tailor made to suit them.
 
I am one of those people who loves education, both for Myself and for those I serve. I have expected a slave to gain skill in many different things, and for many different reasons. Some examples:
 
I love performing arts. I once had a slave who was a country boy who looked down his nose on all that "high brow stuff". I began giving him assignments about composers, dancers, various operas and ballets, etc. I made sure to vary the material, from the very old to the most modern. I highlighted drama, comedy,  satire, etc. He came to understand the arts and to ultimately make them a passion in his own life. The benefits to Me? I gained a well-rounded slave AND an enthusiastic escort and conversational partner. The benefits to him? A well-rounded life and he lost the judgemental attitude about things that were new to him.
 
My cubby used to spew the worst political rhetoric. He would offer his opinion on almost any topic, blaming the president or stating law that supported his ideas. Most of it was handed to him on CNN. I told him that there were flaws in his reasoning. I didn't take issue with his opinions, just the supporting "facts" he'd use. I purchased a "US Government for Dummies" book and assigned a chapter a week, complete with a written or oral report about what he had learned. He finished the book at two chapters a week! I then told him that I required that he register to vote and be prepared to tell Me WHO he was voting for, and WHY. The boy actually did so well that he ended up changing MY mind about who I was voting for! He researched voting records and platforms, and gave Me concise resources that I could check for Myself. He also started analyzing his comments for flaws and began making much more sense when he did enter a political conversation. Benefits to Me? A much more well-rounded boy, and newfound respect for his abilities to see situations and the possible solutions to them. Benefits to him? A well-rounded life and the ability to help shape his future as a citizen. He also has a lot more confidence simply because he is speaking his own thoughts, rather than mimicking someone else's.
 
I often expect a slave to learn to cook, even though I do 95% of the cooking and shopping. I expect them to have hobbies, and to always be expanding their knowledge and experience.
 
Are the skills always used in service to Me? No... but they do make them better people, increasing their value to Me. The idea you put forth about "being used" has no merit since a sub/slave is My property, they are THERE to be used.