Parable of the Faithful Servant (Matthew 24:45-51)
Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project
This parable is about a slave who has been put in charge of the entire household. This includes the responsibility to give other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time. Jesus says, “Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives” (Matt. 24:46). That slave will be promoted to additional responsibility. On the other hand, Jesus observed,
But if that wicked slave says to himself, “My master is delayed,” and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt. 24:48-51)
In a modern workplace context, the slave would be equivalent to a manager with a duty to the owners while managing other workers. The owner’s interests are met only when the workers’ needs are met. The manager has responsibilities to both those above and below him in authority. Jesus says that it is the servant leader’s duty to look to the needs of those under him as well as those above him. He cannot excuse himself for mistreating those under his authority by claiming it is somehow for the benefit of his superiors. He depicts this reality dramatically in the punishment meted out to the worker who cares only for his own interests (Matt. 24:48-51).
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Table of Contents
- Matthew and Work
- Introduction to the Book of Matthew
- Working as Citizens of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 1-4)
-
The Kingdom of Heaven at Work in Us (Matthew 5-7)
-
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
- "Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit, for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 5:3)
- "Blessed Are Those Who Mourn, for They Will be Comforted" (Matthew 5:4)
- “Blessed Are the Meek, for They Will Inherit the Earth“ (Matthew 5:5)
- "Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness" (Matthew 5:6)
- “Blessed Are the Merciful, for They Will Receive Mercy” (Matthew 5:7)
- "Blessed Are the Pure in Heart, for They Will See God" (Matthew 5:8)
- "Blessed Are the Peacemakers, for They Will Be Called Children of God" (Matt 5:9)
- "Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake" (Matt 5:10)
- Salt and Light in the World of Work (Matthew 5:13-16)
- What Is Righteousness? (Matthew 5:17-48)
- Wealth and Provision (Matthew 6)
- Moral Guidance (Matthew 7)
-
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
- Jesus Heals Many (Matthew 8-9)
- Laborers Deserve Their Food (Matthew 10)
- Tales of Two Kingdoms (Matthew 11-17)
-
Living in the New Kingdom (Matthew 18-25)
- Conflict Resolution (Matthew 18:15-35)
- The Rich Young Man (Matthew 19:16-30)
- The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
- Servant Leadership (Matthew 20:20-28)
- Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
- Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-41)
- The Great Commandment is a Great Framework (Matthew 22:34-40)
- Parable of the Faithful Servant (Matthew 24:45-51)
- The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
- Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
- The Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30)
- Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (Matthew 27-28)
- Conclusion to Matthew
- Key Verses and Themes in Matthew
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Contributors: Jonathan Pennington and Alice Mathews
Adopted by the Theology of Work Project Board July 6, 2011. Revised Nov. 4, 2011.
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Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
