Luke 12: 42-48
2 Thes. 1:10–2:2
Once the Lord told a parable about slaves who were honestly staying awake, diligently doing their assigned work in the absence of their master. “You also must be ready,” He said, addressing the listeners, “because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)
And then Peter asked: “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” (Luke 12:41) We do not know what Peter was expecting to hear in response, but the Lord asked him a counter question: “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?”
That question remained unanswered. It feels as if it contains a challenge addressed to everyone. Perhaps, in response, everyone should liven up and ask: “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” (Matthew 26:22) The Lord’s answer to that would probably be, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26:25) Because everyone can and must be not only a faithful servant of God, but also His faithful steward. Not only can the master bestow wealth on the slaves, but the slaves can also bestow loyalty and obedience to him. The least of servants has something to distribute to other servants of God “in due time”, “If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:7)
“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” and “blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” Even if he “finds everyone doing this”, he will put everyone “above all His possessions”, whereas if he “finds everyone awake,” then he “he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them” (Luke 12:37). What is impossible with man is possible with God, “when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe”
“Therefore we also pray always for you” the apostle writes, “that our God would count you worthy of this calling”, “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him”. And everyone is in one another and in all of God’s creation, and all of God’s creation in everyone” according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Translated by The Catalogue of Good Deeds
Source: https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Vyacheslav_Reznikov/propovedi-na-kazhdyj-den/32_2
