THE WISE STEWARD

The principles. In today’s parable we see the Lord continuing with the theme of servants and masters. What is He teaching us? Firstly, that servants are given responsibility by their master which they are expected to fulfil in his absence. Secondly, that at some point the master will return unexpectedly, review his ser­vants’ faithfulness and reward or punish accordingly.

In verse 37the Saviour has been talking of the blessedness of those servants found watching for His return. Now He describes the reward of those found working when He returns.

Previously, the Lord Jesus has been speaking of ‘servants’; now He is talking of ‘stewards’. A household steward was gener­ally a ‘servant’ or bond slave who had been given the responsibility of managing the property and affairs of his master and of overseeing the other household slaves. The absence of the master tested the character of the steward.

Joseph, in Potiphar’s house, is the perfect example of the faithful steward. The Lord was with him; all that he did pros­pered and Potiphar had complete confidence in him.

In verse 42, we see that the master requires faithfulness and wisdom of stewards. Faithfulness describes the trustworthy character of the steward in relationship to his master. Wisdom is required in the management of the master’s possessions for the well-being of his family.

The interpretation of this parable shows it to be a ‘kingdom’ parable relating, not to the Lord’s return to the air for His believ­ing people, but rather to His return in glory to earth at the end of the tribulation period when, as ‘Son of man’, He will judge Israel and the nations. Reward and retribution will be meted out according to works. This parable does not, therefore, primarily, relate to believers of this dispensation or teach that they will be subject to eternal punishment for unfaithfulness.

The application of the principles of the parable will teach us that, as believers, we are required to be faithful to our absent Lord in the responsibility He has given us and wise in our use of it, so that others benefit now and we may, at the Judgement Seat of Christ, hear, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’.