A CALL TO FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP.
Luke 12:41-48.
LUKE 12:41. Peter asked whether the parable of the serving master was addressed to “us” (the apostles, representing the Christian ministry) or even to “all” (the whole crowd, representing all people everywhere).
LUKE 12:42. “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?”
In answering Peter’s query, Jesus indicated that, while His words were addressed to all, they had a particular application to His appointed stewards. These include ‘the ministers of Christ’ who are the ‘stewards of the mysteries of God,’ of whom the Apostle Paul says, ‘It is required of stewards that a man be found faithful’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
It is also required of all Christians, that we be about our duty while we await the coming of the Lord. It is not that we are saved BY works, but that we have been saved ‘UNTO good works which God hath prepared beforehand for us to do’ (cf. Ephesians 2:10). If we are true Christians we will ‘devote ourselves to doing good’ (cf. Titus 3:8), and will work for the glory of God, and the coming of His kingdom.
LUKE 12:43. “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
Earlier Jesus had pronounced a blessing upon the ‘watchful’ (cf. Luke 12:37). Now He pronounces a blessing upon those who are devoted to doing good. What is required is a ‘patient continuance in well doing’ (cf. Romans 2:7).
LUKE 12:44. “Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler of all that he hath.”
The devoted servant who is up-and-doing his lord’s work in the present can look forward to promotion to greater trust and greater responsibility in the hereafter. This is represented as being made, like Joseph was made by Pharaoh, “ruler of all that he hath.”
LUKE 12:45. “But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken.”
Some imagine that the delay in Christ's coming gives them the right to abuse His people, and to eat and to drink with the wicked.
To thus neglect our duty may well prove that we have no part nor interest in the kingdom of Christ, as demonstrated in the harshness of the following sanction:
LUKE 12:46. “The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”
Such, Jesus solemnly warns, will receive their portion "with the unbelievers" (or, as it may be translated, “with the unfaithful”). This is the plight of unconverted so-called ‘Ministers!’
It is also the plight of those who style themselves as ‘Christians’ who are either deceived, deceiving others, or even deceiving themselves.
LUKE 12:47. “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.”
LUKE 12:48a. “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.”
There is a general principle here, that the more we “know,” or even claim to know, the greater our responsibility. ‘Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin’ (James 4:17).
LUKE 12:48b. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask the more.”
‘My brethren, be not many masters’ (literally, “teachers”) says James 3:1, ‘knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.’
So be watchful, dear Christian. Expect the Lord’s coming, and be faithful in all that you do.
