09.03.05 Lk. 12:41-48
EXHORTATION TO WATCHFULNESS
41 “Lord,” Peter asked, “are You telling this parable to us or to everyone?”
42 The Lord said: “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the proper time? 43 That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. 44 I tell you the truth: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and starts to beat the male and female slaves, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten. 48 But the one who did not know and did things deserving of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.
This is an illustration of a wealthy home owner who had servants manage his household. If a manager demonstrated faithfulness and responsibility, he would be trusted with greater responsibilities (Lk. 12:44). If he failed to function as expected, he would be punished; likewise with the servants of Christ. Those who are faithful to their task will be rewarded and those who fail will be punished.
“Much will be required of everyone who has been given much.” Jesus clearly stated that the more one has – money, knowledge (of the Bible), authority, etc. – the more he is responsible before God. Therefore pastors, teachers, and life-long Christians will one day be held to a high accountability before God than one who just came into the faith. This passage ought to be humbling and sobering to all who are called to the ministry.