Appointed

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

APPOINTED

Luke 12:41-46

41 Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" 42 The Lord answered, "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? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

NIV

After Jesus told them and us to be dressed and our lamps burning, being ready for his return, Peter wants to know if that lesson was for the whole crowd or just for the twelve disciples. In response to his question Jesus goes on with another parable. We would have to assume he was telling Peter that was for everyone, but this is for you twelve who became the forefathers of the church in a sense, knowing that Jesus built the church which is the only way the gates of hell could not prevail against it. But he is talking about those who are ministers of Christ, whom the twelve would be after he was gone. This parable could also apply to any of us in the sense we are all ministers of Christ in some way. But it might specifically apply to those who are in full time ministry, those who have been called to be spiritual leaders of others. What Jesus was telling them first of all was that no man can appoint himself a servant, or minister to others, he is appointed by the master, Jesus in this case. Here is the difference of what our generation has evolved into. We have developed a highly technical method to become a minister of Christ. We need to attend a denominational institute of higher learning, earn a degree and then sign an agreement with their statement of faith in order to be considered worthy to apply for a position of pastor in some church. It is mostly about being appointed by man, rather than by the Master. Jesus continues about how these must consider themselves, not as a master of the family of God, but as a servant to them. Servants do not live in abundance. Jesus, although he was the ultimate Master, lived as a servant, not in the abundance of things, not even having a place to lay his head. He served others wherever he went, healing them, feeding them, serving them with the bread of life, the word of God, giving them true nourishment that would bring them eternal life. This is how a true minister of Christ should be living. A true servant or minister of Christ needs to be extremely faithful and exact in fulfilling the commands of his Master, Jesus. Perhaps many have wandered from this sort of lifestyle, looking more to the financial matters of the church, limiting the commands of God, by the amount of current  money on hand and that which is projected to come in. A true minister of Christ leads his people in faith, believing God will provide for whatever he commands us to do. This is how we all need to live. Each of us has throughout our lives others who we are responsible for. All men are the spiritual leaders of their family and as such would be subject to all these same ideals of true servanthood. Woman who bear children bear many of the responsibilities of raising children would be prudent to see themselves also as servants, ministers of Christ to their children. Yet the main point that it appears Jesus is concerned about is the servant not being self-appointed, but appointed by Jesus and how that servant is to behave. We should all behave in such a manner, as we minister the word of God to others. If all we do is witness to others about how Jesus changed our lives, we are still ministers of Christ and should be subject to these ideas. However, if we more than witness, lead a class or bible study, teach Sunday school, or preach in any way, write books, or articles in periodicals or any other form of sharing thoughts about the word of God, we should pay special attention to, first have we been appointed by ourselves, or God. Then we should examine how we minister for Christ, how we behave, as a leader or as a servant of the Master. Self-examination is needed here. Are we appointed?