Immediately after Jesus told the Parable of the Householder and the Thief, Peter asked him, "Lord are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" Then Jesus answered Peter's question with another parable, the Parable of the Faithful Servant and the Unfaithful Servant. The Parable of the Faithful Servant and the Unfaithful Servant is found in Matthew 24:45-51 and Luke 12:41-46.
The Story
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, `My master is staying
away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that
servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and
assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51, New
International Version).
Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his
possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, `My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day
when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the
unbelievers. (Luke 12:41-46, New Inter- national Version).
The Interpretation
Three main truths are taught in this parable:
1. Faithfulness. Jesus ties faithfulness and wisdom to- gether. James also ties faithfulness and wisdom together:
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes
from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and
selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:13-18, New International Version).
2. Faithfulness will be rewarded with greater responsibility.
3. Wickedess will be judged (at an unknown time).
When Jesus answered Peter's question with another parable, he left the question open. This in itself is an answer:
In effect He said, What I have said applies to every steward in the household who is faithful and true, whether in a special sense called to ministry, or not. (Morgan, PARABLES AND METAPHORS OF OUR LORD, p. 192).
The unwise steward made two mistakes:
1. He said, "I will do what I like while my master is away."
2. He said, "I have plenty of time to put things right before the master returns.
" (Barclay, DAILY STUDY BIBLE SERIES, LUKE pp. 170 ff.).
Barclay summarizes the fable of the Three Devils: There were three devils (demons) sent to earth to finish their apprenticeship. They had three plans. The first devil's strategy was to tell people that there was no God. He was not very successful in capturing souls for hell. The second devil's strategy was to tell people that there was no hell. He was not very successful, either. However, the third devil's strategy was to tell people that God did exist, and that hell also existed, but THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME FOR REPENTANCE. He created a traffic jam on the road to hell. Barclay concludes, "The most dangerous day in a man's life is when he learns there is such a word as TOMORROW." (Barclay, DAILY STUDY BIBLE SERIES, ATTHEW pp. 349 ff.). When I served as an Army Chaplain, a film version of this story entitled "The Third Devil" had a strong impact on
young soldiers in basic training when I showed it to them. It was produced by the Order of St. Francis of Assisi.
Central Truth
GOD REQUIRES FAITHFULNESS IN CHRISTIANS.
Conclusion
Let us be awake and alert and about our Father's business! If there has been failure, the wise thing is to acknowledge it before God NOW. Then, let us forget past failures and move on to faithful service to the Lord.
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