“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom the lord when he comes shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” (Matthew 24:45-47)
In this figure, Christ is represented as the Lord of the household of faith (see Mark 13:34; Hebrews 3:6), leaving his house, and committing to his servants the work of caring for his church.
- They are to feed the flock of God, over whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers (Acts 20:28).
- They must preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2).
- They should watch for souls as they that must give account (Hebrews 13:17).
- They will not only give meat to the household, but they will give it in due season.
- They will preach the present truth. Their last work before the return of their Master will be to proclaim his coming, and to teach the necessary preparation.
- They will sacrifice the society and blessings of home, and go everywhere, preaching the word, suffering fatigue of body and burden of spirit. But such will have great reward in the kingdom of God.
Who is that faithful and wise servant? Where shall we find him? It is he who is faithfully and wisely attending to the interests of the household of faith.
“Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he comes shall find so doing.” (Matthew 24:46)
He is Faithful
As a faithful watchman, he will give timely warning when he sees the sword coming. His work just before the end is seen in the following scriptures.
“Blow the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord comes, for it is nigh at hand.” (Joel 2:1)
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)
“I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves, teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
He is Wise
“...he that wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)
He will expose error, then hold forth the truth in its har mony and beauty, and thus win men to the truth. When it becomes his duty to reprove and rebuke, it will be at a proper time and place, and then with all “long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). He will
“Study to show [himself ] approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)