Matthew 24:45 “Who is the faithful and sensible servant whose master puts him in charge of the household staff, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will go well with that servant if he is found doing his job when his master comes. 47 Yes, I tell you that he will put him in charge of all he owns. 48 But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is taking his time’; 49 and he starts beating up his fellow servants and spends his time eating and drinking with drunkards; 50 then his master will come on a day the servant does not expect, at a time he doesn’t know; 51 and he will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites, where people will wail and grind their teeth!”
What are you in charge of?
We wish we were in charge of everything. At least that’s what our judgments say about us.
We don’t really want to be in charge of anything though, do we?
I think what we mean to say is, “I want everything and everybody to bend to my will so I can have the life I think I deserve.” Anything that goes against that reality becomes public enemy #1. We stew over it, gossip about it, maybe even go so far as to manipulate it. But we like to stay in the shadows throughout it all because if we come out into the light, we will have to take responsibility -- and no one wants that!
In general, we like to defer responsibility any chance we get. The privileges, though…we love those, don’t we?
I guess that’s even more true of spiritual matters. We won’t touch those things with a 10-foot pole. I know this is 100% true of myself. For so, so long I put off taking my place in the Kingdom. Looking back, I wonder in amazement what on earth would prevent me from wanting to walk in the fullness of who I’ve been created to be. Then it dawned on me, I didn’t want to be responsible for what that meant.
If this was (is) true of me, then it may also be true of you.
We want all of the upside of Kingdom living with little to no skin in the game. Think about it. How great would it be to be known as someone that cares for everyone, is perpetually honorable, and sincerely obedient to Abba’s commands? Isn’t this what we desire of everyone living in the earth today? Wouldn’t the world be a much different place if all of those breathing walked in this way?
The funny thing is that it is 100% within reach. And yet we leave it outside. Does this make any sense at all?
Nope. And, yep.
Why all the talk of responsibility?
“Who is the faithful and sensible servant whose master puts him in charge of the household staff, to give them their food at the proper time?“
Those that are faithful and sensible are put in charge of His household. Their job is to look over everyone to ensure they have what they need at the proper time in order to live. In the beginning you may struggle a bit with timing and expectations, but you’ll assuredly find your stride in a short while. But you must keep going. Practicing every single day.
Yes, you will have to put up with a little grumbling while you’re sorting it out but what else do you expect from hungry people. It’s ok…they will eventually settle in and be just fine. As long as you keep them at the forefront of your mind. Their needs first, then yours. Actually, just go ahead and forget about yours.
The trouble, though, is that we can get caught up in the monotony of doing this every day. We get bored. We get tired of serving and serving and serving. What about us? Who’s serving us? No one -- and that makes us feel underappreciated, right? I mean, we have needs, too.
I’ve been giving and giving. And now I’m just tired. So many years of service and it doesn’t seem the end is in sight.
This path into being lethargic in our duties should be all too familiar. Do you still have the same zeal and excitement when you go to work as you had when there was uncertainty around what was expected? Remember when you thought people were paying attention so you did your absolute best -- always? The newness kept us on our toes and we sought excellence so we wouldn't be embarrassed for messing up what we’ve been tasked with doing.
Then time begins to break us down.
We usually settle into a groove and as long as that groove gets cut deeper and more narrow with every passing day, we are content. But as soon as a call to excellence comes, we dig in and fight. How dare they ask you to do something outside of your groove! Your mind, heart, and expectations have doubled down on doing the absolute minimum.
“Not me,” you say, “I love my job. I serve my boss proudly. Give me my list and I’m all over it.”
Who mentioned a job? I’m talking about your work.
Your job is what you do for the world. Your work is what you do for the Kingdom.
Feel that sinking feeling deep inside of you? That’s what I’m wanting you to see. Working for our Master is not at the forefront of our minds usually. Oftentimes, we even forget we’re working for Him.
This is the trouble spelled out for us here in this parable.
There’s an iconic line from the movie The Wedding Singer:
“Why can’t you be more like your brother Harold? He would never beat up his landlord.”
While this is meant to be funny, there is a lot of abusive truth built into this. Think about how many times someone in authority over you has gone against the grain of what you wanted. How did you respond? Usually not by physically assaulting them, right? But by building up anger and resentment -- and that is just about the same as physical assault. Actually, no, it’s worse. Bones will heal but disease will eat you from the inside. And make no mistake, anger and resentment are diseases. Horrible, horrible diseases.
This is what happens when you’re under someone else’s authority but let’s now look at this from the other side.
If anger and resentment come from below, what comes from above? How much worse does it get when you are elevated above others? Before you just wanted to attack. But now, you have the ability to attack.
When you have someone’s livelihood in your hands there is a sweet power that comes with it. Sure, you can destroy this person whenever you choose, and if they go against the grain they will pay.
“I have operational control over this person so they should walk under my authority. Living under authority requires discipline and it is up to me to instill that discipline in them.”
Uh, anger and resentment, remember? You are planting disease with your absolute monarchy and you will be held accountable for that.
“Well, they just need to learn.”
Sure. But as one under authority, do you respond well to threats and a heavy hand? Or is it through compassion and servant-leadership that you grow?
Bullying is what I’d call beating someone up. Using my strength to force my will over them. And there is nothing they can do. My decision is final. I am a god. (note: lowercase ‘g’)
What we have here is dominion vs authority. Authority implies accountability whereas dominion is absolute. And we love dominion. We crave being “in charge” of everything, remember? But we despise accountability.
Responsibility. Can you see it now? This is why we avoid walking in authority. It’s a delicate path that is full of grace and mercy. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
“Yeah, well, I’m not the boss of anyone. I’m the one that’s always under authority.”
FALSE!
Everyone reading this right now has been given authority over something. Sure it may be small, but it’s there. And as you grow in accountability more will be entrusted to you.
I also hope by now you have detected we're not talking about worldly authority, right? We’re talking about spiritual authority.
This exists everywhere. Just by being a believer, you are now walking in spiritual authority over the unbeliever at the grocery store. Now, before you go off trying to high-brow your way through the produce department, let’s change the language a bit to better reflect reality:
Instead of spiritual authority, you are now walking in spiritual responsibility. There is an accountability. Every action and every word that drips from your lips are representative of the Kingdom. Those on the outside looking into the Kingdom through the window (you) should see what that life is like there. It should not look like everyone else.
This should shake you deep down. You have been tasked with something and one day you will give an account. Tread carefully.
Stop trying to walk in dominion over other people.
Nurture those that are still feeling around in the dark. Take responsibility and be willing to stand in the place of accountability. It’s coming whether you like it or not, and you have two paths set before you:
Take responsibility:
“It will go well with that servant if he is found doing his job when his master comes. Yes, I tell you that he will put him in charge of all he owns.”
Or don’t:
“He will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites, where people will wail and grind their teeth!”
Unfortunately, there is no other option on the table for one of His servants.