Be Faithful

Be Faithful

Matthew 24:45-51, NLT

A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48But what if the servant is evil and thinks, “My master won’t be back for a while,” 49and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Setting the Scene

In ancient times, masters often would put one servant in charge of all household business. The “servant” in this story, described as “faithful” and “sensible,” parallels the disciples who were given unprecedented authority by Jesus. Clearly how people act reveals what they really believe. True followers of Christ, especially spiritual leaders, will be faithful to him, even during difficult times or when his return seems distant.

Peter worked tirelessly to spread the Good News of the Kingdom. Eventually, responding to what many of the early believers must have wondered about (and reflecting Jesus’ words—see Matthew 24:43, 45), Peter wrote, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live. . . . And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (2 Peter 3:8-11, 14, NLT).

Getting Personal

How do you know what God wants you to do and how you should live?

What aspects of your calling do you find most difficult to do, especially in difficult times?

What does the phrase “faithful, sensible servant” (v. 45) mean for you? Why?

Although two thousand years have passed since Jesus predicted the events of Matthew 24, he will return. And he expects us to be ready—not idly waiting for the trumpet’s blast but faithfully living for him and spreading the good news of the gospel.

Talking to God

Give the Lord all the days of your lifetime. Pray that he will find you faithfully using your talents, abilities, and gifts for him, whether it’s on the day of your homegoing to heaven or the day of the Second Coming.