Matthew 24:46 -  ”…It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”    

Each week or month that passed brings us closer to our Blessed Hope, the coming of our Lord Jesus.  We feel that we must make the most of the time we have remaining (see Ephesians 5:16).  Time is running out for us to carry out everything the Lord wants us to do, and for those around us to receive the blessing of salvation through Christ.    

In this passage, Jesus is explaining the Last Days to his disciples.  He then offers an analogy to illustrate his challenge to us:“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?”  (Matt. 24:45).  As Christians, we are God’s servants.  As devoted followers of Christ, we want to be the type of servants that God considers “faithful and wise” – that is, reliable for achieving His purposes, and prudent about avoiding mistakes and problems.  

Many churches talk a lot about trusting God, emphasizing to their congregations that faith is important – and it is. God is faithful and we can trust Him fully.  Few churches, however, talk about being a person whom God can trust.  That is our goal.  Jesus indicates in this passage that there are some believers God trusts enough to give them responsibilities over His household.  He entrusts them to provide spiritual food to His other servants.  We want to be trustworthy, people God can entrust with the tasks that need to be done in His great Project of Salvation. 

Jesus goes further, however, and mentions that within this group of servants that God has entrusted with responsibilities, a subset will be faithfully attending to their spiritual duties when the Master (the Lord Jesus) returns.  Not all those whom God entrusts will remain faithful to the end – some will become abusive toward the members of the church, and self-indulgent with worldly pleasures and benefits (see v. 49).  

This is the challenge for us today.  If we want to please God, we must continue to be faithful and consistent in our walk with Him.  Jesus is coming soon.  According to this passage it matters what we are doing at the moment He returns.  Our goal is to be faithful in his sight.