Since the way of Jesus is different from that of the Sadducees, the Scribes, and the Pharisees, understanding the nature of discipleship is crucial. This section treats such concerns. Disciples must fear God and stand up for him in the midst of persecution. They must avoid dependence on material things. They must trust God and realize that they are accountable to him. The essence of discipleship is fearing God and putting him first. To share God’s priorities is the disciples’ call. To learn from God means to follow him.
Now Jesus is talking about our basic approach to life. Are we anxious and lacking trust in God, constantly trying to gaincontrol of things that often are beyond our control? Or do we trust God to provide and concentrate on honoring relationshipsby pursuing righteousness and serving others with our resources? Two things tell us the answers to these questions:our heart and our pocketbook. Our heart can tell us if we are anxious, and our pocketbook can tell us if we aregenerous. Both tell us if we are trusting God.
Perspective is crucial. Sometimes when we are going through particularly difficult situations, everything seems hopelessand pointless. Only after some time do we gain perspective so that events come into focus and the lessons becomeobvious. Perspective in life can work in two directions. Usually it is reflective, as we look back and consider what hashappened in relation to subsequent events. But perspective can also be prospective. We can act now in light of what wehope will happen in the future. A couple who saves prudently now for their children’s future education or for their ownretirement lives prospectively. That kind of perspective is harder, because it requires faith and counts on events thathave not yet occurred. It is very different from living strictly according to present needs and gratification. Christians aresupposed to live prospectively.
If there is an evaluation of stewardship, then what is good and bad stewardship? What will the evaluation be like? Jesusbegins by noting what a good steward is like. A steward in ancient culture was a slave who was left in charge of domesticaffairs when the master was away. The steward’s major responsibility was to care for the other servants’ welfare, especiallyto allot food to them. A steward’s job was to serve, not to exercise power.Jesus praises faithfulness with a beatitude. The good servant, the one who waits and is ready, is the one who servesfaithfully during the master’s absence. Often we think of waiting as an attitude, but Jesus sees it as translating into action.Life lived prospectively is marked by constant service to God. The Lord blesses those living faithfully as theyawait his return.
But other outcomes are possible. What if the steward’s service is blatantly unfaithful? Jesus raises this other side of thecoin next: But suppose the servant says to himself, “My master is taking a long time in coming,” and he then begins tobeat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. In light of the subsequent verses, Jesus isdiscussing a stewardship that goes exactly opposite of what Jesus requested. Instead of the servants’ being cared for,they are abused. Resources are wasted on the steward and not shared with others. How will the Lord evaluate those whodon’t care that the Master is returning and who live like it, abusing others along the way?
To be associated with Jesus is to have responsibility before him. Those who are sensitive to his return and their accountabilityto him will serve him faithfully. God will richly reward the faithful. Those who take this accountability less seriouslywill be sorted out according to their deeds. Those who never really responded to the Master and ignored his returnby doing the opposite of what he asked for will seal their place among the unfaithful. Those who are knowingly negligentwill be disciplined, while those who act in ignorance will be less severely disciplined.
The end of the passage helps to explain its start. We should live prospectively, sensitive to the accountability of discipleship.We should wear our work clothes and keep the lamps burning, looking for the Lord’s return by serving himfaithfully.
Father Peter Karam