“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? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 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. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12.43-48
After a first reading of this passage I find what some people would call archaic language. Mentions of beatings a servant is far from acceptable in our civilized society today. (However, we do still practice abortion, so I’m not sure this is any different.)
But I think, culturally speaking, this was just the way it was. Not that it’s a right and fair treatment of humans. Every person should be treated humanely and with respect. Yet in the same vain, we should also obey God’s laws. And those who don’t, those who sin, who turn away, with lack of repentance, will face much harsher punishment than a beating by the master. But I digress…
The point of this passage is similar to the previous passage in Luke 12.35-40 on watchfulness. Today I’m focused on readiness. The parable Jesus tells is of a faithful and wise manager whom the master puts in charge while he is away. But what if the servant said, “My master is taking a long time in coming, and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk?” Jesus then tells us that when the master returns the servant will “cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” Ouch. The once faithful and wise manager strayed into sin, gave up his good stewardship of the masters property, and assumed that it was his own to do with as he pleased.
Jesus has entrusted each of us with the ability to steward our time, resources and relationships. If we abuse those opportunities and gifts, we forsake the masters gifts. Every day is a present from the Lord. Every encounter with other people a chance to show grace and witness to the goodness of God. But failing to live in the moment, ignorance in ignoring God’s Presence among us, is failure to live in accordance with his plan for our lives. Our purpose is to walk with God, to know him, to love and serve him and others. If we think only of our selves, we are no better than the manager who beat his servants and gave up his trusted position of faithfulness and responsibility.
Jesus summarizes his parable by saying, “Everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
So today, is the day the Lord has made. I’m at Disney World sitting outside my hotel room and watching the grounds keepers clean the sidewalk. I’m not even joking. They are scrubbing the side walks to make it pristine for the guests who are here and who will be arriving at a later day.
How much more should we be good stewards of God’s creation? How much more should we love his people, his land and his Word? How much more should we walk in the Spirit of grace and be ready for the return of the Master of the House?
By his grace and for his glory.
”O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for your power and the strength of your Word. It will endure forever. Even when my life is gone, my breath is no more, I will by your grace be walking with you in spirit and in truth. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your passion and love. Help me treat all like you would want them to be treated. Help me know the love of the Father and to share that love with others. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen