Matthew 24:45Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If you argue from His statement that "Neither the Son knows" (Mark 13:32) regarding the final day, do you contend that He lacks knowledge about the servant as well? Absolutely not. No rational person would suggest such a thing; while one might find a possibility for misunderstanding in the first instance, that does not apply here. What does it signify when He asks, "Peter, do you love Me?" (John 21:15)? Did He not already know this? Or consider when He inquires, "Where have you laid him?" (John 11:34). A similar inquiry is voiced by God the Father, as seen when He calls out, "Where are you, Adam?" (Gen. 3:9) and observes, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great... I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it" (Genesis 18:20-21). Similarly, in another context, it’s written, "For they will hear and know" (Ezek. 2:5) and in the Gospel, "when they will be ashamed of My Son" (Luke 20:13). Such expressions might appear to convey ignorance. However, God does not utter these words from a lack of knowledge, but rather with the intent to achieve His divine purpose more effectively. He spoke to Adam to inspire a sense of repentance, to the inhabitants of Sodom as a lesson against careless judgment, and to the prophet to prevent the erroneous belief that foreknowledge would lead to inevitable disobedience, aiming instead to illustrate the necessity of honoring the Son and illuminating the significance of the matter at hand.

Moreover, consider the implications of His words—if He does not even know the one whom He has appointed! He blesses the servant, saying, "Blessed is that servant," yet does not disclose who that servant is, only posing the question, "Who is that faithful and wise servant?" Notably, He mentions the servant's role not in terms of a singular possession, but of all responsibilities and gifts entrusted to him. This parable is also pertinent to secular leaders; everyone ought to utilize their talents for the benefit of others. Whether one is endowed with wisdom, authority, or wealth, it is imperative to avoid using these gifts selfishly or destructively. The Savior identifies two essential traits in the servant of the parable: prudence and fidelity, as sin springs from negligence. He calls the servant faithful because he does not neglect or squander his master’s resources uselessly; and wise, for he understands the appropriate use of what has been entrusted to him. We too must embody these virtues, to avoid misappropriating what belongs to the Lord and to responsibly manage what has been granted to us. The absence of one quality renders the other ineffective. A servant may be faithful and not steal, but if he squanders his resources on frivolous pursuits, that is a significant failing. Conversely, if he manages the estate effectively yet engages in theft, this remains a grave offense. Those of us with financial means ought to heed this, for Christ's teachings apply not only to spiritual leaders but also to the wealthy. Wealth has been entrusted to both groups, though it is far more critical for teachers and less so for the affluent. If educators are careless with significant gifts, what justification do you have for being stingy even with minor blessings? Moreover, it is not just about generosity; gratitude is requisite, as you are stewarding resources that do not primarily belong to you. Yet before we address the repercussions awaiting the unrighteous, let us consider the rewards for those who pursue righteousness. Truly, I say unto you that He will place such a servant over all His possessions. What greater honor could be bestowed? What words can sufficiently convey the glory, the joy of being appointed by the King of Heaven, to whom all creation belongs, as steward over His entire dominion? Hence, He refers to the wise servant, for he understands the value of prioritizing what is significant to receive eternal life through prudent actions.

Paul exemplified this, having once been a blasphemer but later transformed into a devoted servant. He offered milk to some and shared profound truths with others; he was astute, aware of the enemy's schemes. Thus, anyone who has received gifts from God—be it possessions, authority, or influence—must steward these entrusted responsibilities with both fidelity and sagacity, for they will ultimately be required to account for their actions.

Consequently, the reason one thing may not elicit the same response in different circumstances is evident in the matter of timing. It enhances the value and desirability of what is given. Therefore, it is vital not just to give — which may seem trivial — but to give in an opportune moment, as this transforms the nature of the offering, making it something significant or even the greatest of all. The Psalmist, in celebrating God’s blessings, attests: "All to Thee they desire, to give them food in good time" (Psalm 103:27). God not only provides nourishment but does so at the right time. Even more importantly, He supplies all in their season. Observing the fruits of the earth reveals that wheat, wine, and oil, as well as varied fruits, do not all ripen simultaneously. First, the fields blossom, then the harvest follows, leading to the grapes, and the clusters signify the readiness of the olive. The seasons create a harmonious cycle, offering rest to the farmer through their rhythm. Had everything reached maturity simultaneously, the farmer’s task would be insurmountable, as he would lack the strength to gather all at once, leading to ruin or spoilage.

To the question: Who is a faithful and wise servant, that the master should place him in charge of his household? While I have highlighted the folly and, more accurately, the arrogance of those who willingly take on formidable tasks, I must ask, O blessed one, why you have overlooked what distinctly illustrates this arrogance. What is this? Not everyone suffers from the same afflictions, and not all respond to the same remedies. Just as there is a kaleidoscope of ailments, so too must there be an array of different cures. If my observations trouble you, bear with me a moment; the perplexity you now feel will eventually transform into a deeper sorrow for them. The presence of numerous and varied afflictions makes it challenging for an individual to recognize their own disease and, once identified, to discern the appropriate remedy. Different individuals respond to diverse treatments; what helps one may harm another, and what suits one may not work for someone else. To clarify my point, I assert that those who are guided by the Word may not become wise through examples alone; rather, one person may improve through one means, while another may thrive through something else entirely. Some who are in need of urging don’t respond well to restraint, while the lazy and averse to good may only be stirred by a verbal nudge, much like spirited young horses who thrive on governed direction. Some benefit from praise, others from correction, as long as both are delivered in a timely manner; failing to do so, however, could yield opposite results. Some are responsive to encouragement, while others heed reprimands. Certain individuals are prompted to amend their errors when chastised in public, while others respond favorably to private counsel. For some, public rebukes breed neglect of personal conversations, and others who are talked down in public may learn humility through the kindness found in discreet admonitions.

Certain individuals require constant observation — particularly those whose false sense of secrecy, due to careful scrutiny, ridicules the notion of their wisdom; relating to others, some matters ought to be overlooked to prevent frequent aggravation from leading to insensitivity, ultimately causing them to dismiss even the most effective corrective measures — shame. Some must be addressed with a false pretense of anger, some should be disregarded without truly harboring disdain, and others must be set aside without genuine rejection. Some need leniency for their healing, while others might benefit from exclusion; some must rise above others, while others, based on necessity, must allow the appearance of superiority for the sake of decorum. Therefore, given the multitude of weaknesses and remedies, and recognizing that not all yield to the same interventions — indeed, some may even descend into worse behaviors due to certain stimuli — who, devoid of illumination by the Holy Spirit, could possibly grasp everything and possess the strength for all tasks? Yet, there are those who boldly seek the mantle of leadership, assuming it is suited to them, without fully grasping its challenges or considering the Lord’s words. Thus, the rarity of genuine stewardship is captured in this query: Who is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord will appoint over His household to provide spiritual nourishment?

This meticulous record-keeping involves noting the amounts received, the sources of those funds, the dates and locations of transactions, and the intended use of the money at the Emperor's directive. Ultimately, the steward of the Emperor's resources ought to embody the qualities of a faithful and prudent servant, as described in the Gospel, so that the master may find joy in entrusting him with responsibilities and that he may honor Jesus Christ through his stewardship.

In referring to the servants tasked with managing the master's household, Jesus was certainly speaking of Himself as the Lord, the earth as the household, and the people of the earth as the servants. As those who have been appointed to oversee the master's domain, we must consistently act with fidelity, prepared to provide an account of our stewardship to our master. We ought to recognize that the blessings of life are not our own, but God's, and everything we have is granted to us for the purpose of stewardship, accompanied by specific responsibilities. We must remain conscious that we will be called to account for how we have fulfilled these duties, ready to do so at any moment. This reckoning will occur at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ but also culminate at the conclusion of our earthly existence. Should we lead careless lives, neglecting our Lord, and treat the earthly riches not as what has been entrusted to us but as ill-gotten gains meant for self-indulgence, we will face a sobering realization at the end of our lives. We will find ourselves acknowledging that what was given to us has been squandered, leaving us without justification for our actions or any form of validation; we will resemble those servants who were discovered in slumber upon the master's return.

Just as a man leaves his residence, entrusting authority and tasks to his servants while instructing the gatekeeper to maintain vigilance, so too is this call to spiritual watchfulness a universal directive for all who follow Christ until the end of time: "I say unto you, I say unto all, watch." This instruction from the Lord is paramount.

Take care that your hearts do not become burdened by excess and distractions of this world, so that that day does not overtake you unexpectedly, like a snare upon all who dwell upon the earth. Therefore, stay alert at all times, praying that you may escape all these impending trials and stand before the Son of Man. The Lord shared insights essential for prudent living, cautioning against being swept away by the widespread indulgence of the times. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be: in those days before the flood, people were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage right up until the moment Noah entered the ark; they did not perceive the impending judgment. Likewise, during the coming of the Son of Man, there will be two in a field: one will be taken, and the other left; two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken, and one will be left.

The Lord had already forewarned His disciples about the unexpected nature of His return for the final judgment, highlighting not just the time of night but also the urgency of the season (Luke 17:26-30, 35-36). In this reiteration of His prediction, He urged His faithful followers to maintain continuous watchfulness as the last day approaches: “Watch ye, for ye know not what hour your Lord will come.” To illustrate the critical importance of vigilance and the severe repercussions of neglect regarding the salvation of souls, the Lord referred to the parable of the servants awaiting their master's arrival, a reminder of His earlier teachings (Luke 12:39-46).