Luke 12:35–48

Read the passage.

Part of the reason to store up heavenly treaure, to be working for God’s kingdom is so that you will be found doing the Lord’s will when He returns. Jesus compares His followers to servants that stay up all through the night waiting for their master to return home so they can let him in his house without delay. When he does come home and find the servants faithfully waiting for them, he will reverse the roles and serve them instead.

I don’t like verse 39. It makes sense on its own, but I don’t see how it fits in the context of the parable. Even if the master had left, wouldn’t the servants have defended the house from thieves? How does it relate to the return of the Son of Man?

I do think it’s funny that Jesus doesn’t really answer Peter’s question. The answer is hidden in His response, though. Jesus expands on the description of faithful service and says the faithful manager will be given greater rewards and responsibilities. In contrast, the one that abuses his position in the absence of the master will be treated very severely, being cut into pieces and (here it is) put with the unfaithful. So, the answer to Peter’s question, “Are you telling this parable for us [your followers] or for all?” has some subtlety. The parable applies to those who have God as their master, but it is possible for someone to be in a position of authority over fellow servants and end up not being a true servant of God after all. Beware of false teachers, but know that they are heaping up harsh penalties for themselves for what they do.

In the same way, those who know more of the things of God will be held to a stricter standard. Ignorance isn’t an excuse, but if you know what you should do and still don’t, you are judged for both your inaction and your rebellion.

We need Your grace to remember all that You have commanded us, and also for the will to do them in their proper time.