THE PARABLE OF FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL MANAGER – OCTOBER 20TH WEDNESDAY (Lk 12: 39-48)

1. Some slaves take advantage of their privilege. They treat the fellow servants with contempt. They indulge in their own vices to gratify their own needs. The master catches one such servant at the unexpected time. With a sudden twist Jesus applies the illustration not to the world of business but to the dedication of discipleship. The one who appeared to hear the word gladly but soon forsook it, to the one who refuses to take up his cross and follow Jesus without worrying about material needs – this one is cut in to two and given an eternal place with the unbelievers.

2. Peter’s question has the answer in verse 1 of this chapter itself. He was surrounded by twelve apostles, seventy disciples and the multitude of crowd. The answer of Jesus is given in his usual manner. He explains more fully so that Peter is able to find his answer and able to find it in a way that is especially necessary for himself. The parable is for all, but let each one look well to himself in the station assigned to him in Master’s house.

3. Life for so many of us is filled with loose ends. There are things undone and things half-done; things put off and things not even attempted. Great men and women have always the sense of a task that must be finished.

4. Jesus says three things about the unfaithful manager
• The unfaithful manager said there is plenty of time. He did not doubt Lord’s coming but only thought he would not come so soon.
• He did his own will, his own thing. He did not take care of the people entrusted under his care

• He was to be judged with the unbelievers and there is no way to escape.

5. The justice that lies back of this fate of the two slaves is made clear by two axiomatic statements, which are universally acted on by men themselves. To everyone whom much is given, much is expected. To the degree he/she has been blessed, to that degree he ought to be grateful,. Much will be required of the gifted servant and even more of the really talented one.

When we work in a group we always see some people working all the time while others do nothing at all. The people who work always do express their difficulty, arising not because of the task itself but by seeing the others who do not even move their fingers. It is true that they should not allow others to take advantage of their generosity but at the same time, it is an indication that the Lord has blessed these people more than the others. If certain tasks can only be done by a few, they should not make a big fuss about the situation rather should do it willingly because it is their obligation for the fact they have received more from the Lord.

Courtesy
The Anchor Bible Series
Interpretation of St. Luke
William Barclay the new Study Bible
The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible
The Pulpit Commentary