#1392 Luke 12 Part 5 Who Then?

 

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, 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 does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Luke 12: 41-48 ESV

Luke 12: 41-48

Are you telling this parable for us or for all - He had just finished telling them about being prepared always for His return. He used the illustration of having your loins girded up, of your lamps filled and lit so that you can see and join the procession immediately. To further the illustration and to help them understand the urgency, he compared His coming to that of a thief in the night. The thief doesn't call you a couple days in advance; he comes when you least suspect it, and so the moral of the story is to always be doing what your master said, always stay prepared because He could come at any moment. So Peter wants to know is this for us, the twelve, or for everybody within earshot?

…35The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3: 35-36

…38Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you:… Acts 13: 38-40

22“The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.… Luke 9: 22-24

Who then is the faithful and wise manager - Everyone who comes to Christ is responsible for their sphere of influence. Everyone manages something. If you are a baby Christian then there is your growth, and it is your responsibility to be in the word and in prayer daily. It is also important for you to meet with other believers of sound doctrine.

…24And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,… Hebrews 10: 24-26

If you are a parent then your sphere includes your spouse and or children, this is your first most inner ring. If you are a child who comes to believe then God has given direction for you as well. 

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”…

4Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.… Ephesians 6: 1-6

To give them their potion of food at their proper time - If you are an employee, a neighbor, a teacher, a civil leader, a shepherd, then you are responsible for the witness that comes with the name Christian, and these are the people we provide for. As an employee you bear witness by doing your job with a gracious spirit. As a politician you reject the dishonesty of the day, and you seek what's best for the people, refusing to buy votes or make false promises. As a pastor you realize your opinion doesn't matter, it's what God says that matters. 

All who are servants of Jesus must be ready for His return, but those who are ministers among His servants must all the more be ready. “Ignorance of the Divine shall not wholly excuse the sinner, he shall be beaten, but his stripes shall be few, his damnation shall be gentle compared with a minister’s, that knows his Master’s will but does it not; teaches it to others, but does it not himself…God looks upon wicked, loose, and scandalous and mischievous ministers as the greatest transgressors, and he will deal with them as such.” (Poole)

14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin. 15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,… 2 Timothy 2: 14-16

…11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things. 12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. 13For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.… 1 Timothy 3: 11-13

But that servant who knew his Master's will but did not get ready or act according to His will - This person who heard but did not do, that is the same as the tree that didn't bear fruit, and that one who got drunk and beat his fellow servants, well that is the same as a tree with bad fruit, and each is known by their fruit. Knowing the will of God, but utilizing the church or the name of Christ for your own indulgence, like the prosperity teachers or the antinomian, is going to come with a harsher judgment. 

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.… James 3: 1-3

…5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. 6Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk. 7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.…

…8Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching… 1 Timothy 1: 5-10

They will demand the more - The more you were put over in this life, the more you will answer for. Your access to knowledge, your freedom, your money and holdings, family, friends, employees; how have you managed these things? God, have mercy, change me.