And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. — Luke 12:42-48, NASB

This parable found in Luke and Matthew continues a theme of readiness in anticipation of Christ’s return. While the sudden nature of this return and the need for people to be ready is a point of emphasis, Luke’s version in particular focuses on stewardship and responsibility, echoing the teaching from the parables of the talents and minas. Like those analogies, a master of a house has left a servant in charge during his absence, this time with the specific duty of providing for the needs of the others in the house. How the servant handles that responsibility determines how the master will deal with him when he returns.

The parable is prompted by a question from Peter in which he asks “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” Who exactly do the servants represent, true believers of varying strengths of faith or a mix of true and false believers? It is a significant question which Jesus answers by contrasting two different responses to the master’s orders.

In the first example the servant does exactly as the master directed, and his faithfulness to the task gains him blessing and the reward of additional responsibility. The second example is that of a wicked servant who abuses those under his charge instead of providing for them, all the while indulging himself with the master’s provisions.

The answer to Peter’s question as to whether the parable is describing both saved and unsaved people comes in verse 46, when the master arrives unexpectedly and the wicked servant is cut in pieces and cast out. This is pretty clear condemnation, the kind reserved—as the verse goes on to state—for unbelievers. When judgment comes on this world God will certainly punish the unredeemed, but He will not throw the saved in with the unsaved. The wicked servant therefore, in rejecting his master's instructions and disregarding his return, represents a person of false faith.

Among the unfaithful are multiple groups, illustrated by the types of reprimands dished out. The difference between being cut to pieces or receiving various amounts of lashes shows that there will be different degrees of eternal punishment, with the harshest reserved for those who were given the most spiritual privilege. Such individuals received the gospel truth and opportunities to serve, yet chose the path of disobedience and unbelief. The more one knows, the more responsibility and accountability they have. Others may not have been as blatant in their disobedience, not having had the same knowledge, opportunities, calling, or wicked intent. Though they are still damned,
verse 48 shows that their penalties will be less severe.

While church leaders should take particular heed of the lesson of the faithful and unfaithful servants as those charged with providing spiritual rations to their flocks, the message isn’t just for them. All believers must be vigilant. Even among the faithful, there exists the temptation to put off until tomorrow what should be done today. To various degrees we have all received blessings, and with those blessings come responsibilities. We can shoulder those responsibilities knowing that it is through His power alone that we bear any fruit at all, and that everything is possible through Him if it be His will.

Like the suddenly arriving master, Jesus will return at an hour we do not expect, and until that time we are to remain faithful and abound in His work, remembering that to whom much has been given, much is required. May God strengthen and guide us to meet His expectations.