Tuesday 15 July 2008
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives." (v.45-46)
Background
There were many expectations among Jews and early Christians ofthe coming day of God. This would be a time of both judgment andvindication. Jesus' stories are often told with such expectationsas part of the story. For early Christians, after the Ascension(when Jesus was no longer physically present -
Such expectations had an important practical edge to them. You hadto be ready all the time because tomorrow God might sum up yourlife. At the same time, no-one can ever know when that day iscoming - not even Jesus himself (verse 36).
Some people acted in ways which betrayed scepticism. The badservant didn't care for others, but bullied them and greedily ateand got drunk. This was all justified by the idea that the "masteris delayed" (verses 48-49).
But the story suggests that such behaviour will not stay a secretfrom the master. The consequence of not being ready is ending up inutter despair. The violent language of being "cut ... in pieces"suggests life fragmenting and falling apart at the seams. Maybe thealternative reading of being "cut off" is easier to understand. Theservant will be alienated from God (verse 51).
Others live in ways where they keep their concentration on seeingthat others are regularly fed and looked after. Their faithfulnessis like a servant who is always expecting their master's return.They are constant, reliable and hospitable.
So this story is really a picture of what it is like to be faithful(or unfaithful). It isn't about believing the right things, butabout doing the right things. In workplaces we are often remindedof the need to be accountable. When people are not accountable,things sometimes go wrong. People don't always behave in goodfaith. Living with a sense of accountability is an important partof living a good life.
To Ponder
To whom do you feel accountable, and does itchange the way you see your work and your life?
Many people have found the idea of accountabilityto God a source of guilt. How can it be turned into a positivemotivation to do good?