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Author: Stephen Weller
757 words, 4 minutes read time

The Unfaithful Servant

Scripture: Matthew 24:51; Luke 12:45-48

In the previous lesson we learned that the servant that acts as a faithful and wise manager will be rewarded by the master on his return. In this lesson we will look at the unfaithful servant.

^{Lk 12:45} 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 ^{Mt 24:51} hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Since the master has not yet returned, the unfaithful servant believes the delay will be on going and allows sin to enter his life in his conduct. Maybe because he has come under the influence of his desires and the effect of his drinking, be begins to abuse those servants who he was to manage. Because of his sin, he is no longer ready for his master to return and when he does come, at an unexpected time, he will be severely judge for his behavior and neglect of duty.

To “cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful” is a metaphorical reference to punishment that awaits the unbeliever at the return of Jesus Christ. The statement to “cut him in pieces” brings to mind Jeremiah 34:18 ESV: “And the men who transgressed my covenant and did not keep the terms of the covenant that they made before me, I will make them like the calf that they cut in two and passed between its parts.”

To be “put . . . with the unfaithful” is to be sent to punishment as in Luke 13:27 – 28 ESV: ²⁷ “But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ²⁸ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.” That will be a place of eternal judgment and separation from God.

Like these servants, God has entrusted to us a work assignment and given us the necessary abilities to do the work. We should prayerfully seek guidance by the Spirit to do the word as a faithful servant who expects the master to return at any time.

^{Lk 12:47} 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.

There are two kinds of servants mentioned here: those who know the master’s will and those who don’t. The servants who knew his will and did not get ready will receive a greater punishment than those who didn’t and did not get ready. This should be a warning to those who hear and read God’s word but do not apply it to their lives. Their judgment will be greater than those who know less. Don’t even think for a moment that you will be better off by knowing less. God has commanded us to work out our salvation (the process of our sanctification) with fear and trembling. Our spiritual growth is extremely important, so don’t neglect it.

Not all believers are gifted alike or have the same abilities. God matches the work assignment with the person who can do the work. To those he gives much, of him much will be required.

Conclusion

In this section, Jesus stressed the importance of being faithful servants. How faithful is your service to him? If Jesus were to return today, would he find you ready?  Why, why not? Is there something in your life that is hindering your readiness? Are you like the unfaithful servant that believes that Jesus has delayed his return and thus you are not concerned about being ready?