Luke 12:41-48
Then Peter said: “Lord, are you saying this illustration to us or also to all?†42 And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? 43 Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so! 44 I tell YOU truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings. 45 But if ever that slave should say in his heart, ‘My master delays coming,’ and should start to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day that he is not expecting [him] and in an hour that he does not know, and he will punish him with the greatest severity and assign him a part with the unfaithful ones. 47 Then that slave that understood the will of his master but did not get ready or do in line with his will will be beaten with many strokes. 48 But the one that did not understand and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few. Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.
There have been a few discussions lately about these scriptures and it generally seems to be about two slaves. The “faithful slave†and the “evil slaveâ€. One is beaten with many strokes and the other with few strokes.
Maybe I’ve been getting this wrong, but aren’t there THREE categories of slaves?
1/ The slave that understood his master’s will and, on his master’s return, was found doing so … will be “happy†and be appointed over all his master’s belongings.
2/ The slave that understood his master's will, but did not do his will “will be beaten with many strokes.â€
3/ The slave that did not understand his master’s will “and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few.â€
Just some thoughts,
Measurer. :hibye:
This is a really interesting subject to me. I have always understood these scriptures as being and example of what all of us Christians should be or not be doing. I do not understand this to be talking to just one person or about just one person. To me, it is speaking in the plural sense as to everyone.
Just my thoughts :)
Hi Measurer, I would say "Yes!"
There appear to be at least three slaves.
I would say that this parable is really referring to a range of attitudes.
A sliding scale if you will.
Personally I think there will not be three distinct groups, but rather at one end, there will be the slave that discerns all that is needed and does it, to the best of his ability. At the other end of the scale, there is the slave who knows darn well what he should be doing, but because he thinks the master is delaying, thinks he can get away with eating and drinking to excess from the master's belongings (it is the master's food and drink he is stealing), even to the point of drunkenness (reminds me of the harlot of Revelation). The master will certainly not appoint him over his belongings.
Then in between there is the slave who is not too sure what he should be doing, but tries probably to do his best.
Interestingly the society always seems to quote Matthew, which appears to make things black and white, rather than Luke who usually pays more attention to detail, and suggests there may be a number of scenarios when Jesus returns.
When Jesus gives the parable of the talents, there are three slaves. Those who have alot and achieve alot, to those who do nothing. Again I think this represents the ability and effort of all those who serve, or claim to serve the master.
Love vicky
:friends:
Yes, Measurer, I AGREE...there are 3 slaves..just like you said.
Here's some more ideas..
The faithful slave: 144,000 of Gentiles and Jews
The evil slave: Watchtower and others similiar..
Is that what you think?? Funny how for 26 years of my WT service, I thoroughly believed that the WT was the Faithful slave, and now I thoroughly believe they are the evil slave..at least in part. :shocked:
Hi jaycee,
I agree with you that these scriptures could apply to all Christians and how we respond to the “master’s willâ€.
Vicky, your description of a “sliding scale†sounds about right and pictures “the range of attitudes†adopted by those slaves. :thumbup:
I must admit, it confuses me when it’s suggested that the “slave†referred to in these scriptures is represented by the “anointed†and then given the title “FDSâ€, because I just don’t see how they fit into the three (or more) categories or “types†described in those verses. :confused:
New Truth, this is one reason why I find it difficult to describe any specific group, i.e. 144,000, GB, FDS, WTBTS, as being the slave/slaves Jesus refers to.
I think it’s much greater and wider in scope.
Measurer. :hibye:
To me these particular scriptures have been used to mislead many, many people into looking at men or a group of men for truth rather than to looking at the Bible and it's truth. John 17:17, 18.
Love it when other's see the truth! :cheer:
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Hi jaycee,
I agree with you that these scriptures could apply to all Christians and how we respond to the “master’s willâ€.
Vicky, your description of a “sliding scale†sounds about right and pictures “the range of attitudes†adopted by those slaves. :thumbup:
I must admit, it confuses me when it’s suggested that the “slave†referred to in these scriptures is represented by the “anointed†and then given the title “FDSâ€, because I just don’t see how they fit into the three (or more) categories or “types†described in those verses. :confused:
New Truth, this is one reason why I find it difficult to describe any specific group, i.e. 144,000, GB, FDS, WTBTS, as being the slave/slaves Jesus refers to.
I think it’s much greater and wider in scope.
Measurer. :hibye:
man hu wrote:
I would say that this parable is really referring to a range of attitudes.
A sliding scale, if you will.
measurer wrote:
Vicky, your description of a "sliding scale" sounds about right and pictures "the range of attitudes" adopted by those slaves.
A sliding scale is one nice way to describe a continuum.
One slave. Two slaves. Three slaves. Jesus does know how to venue 'em.
There may be "strokes" involved. Whether many or few, we'll see.
When strokes are done and all are healed, its time for Jubilee!
When Jubilee rolls 'round, no more strokes, and no more slaves.
When Jubilee arrives, so does all that our heart craves.
When Jubilee is here, we're at the good end of continuum.
When Jubilee we taste, all Jesus' sheep? Oh, he'll continue 'em. :giverose:
No more strokes and no more slaves,
Indeed it’s something we all crave.
But tell me ISO, what's your view?
To join the continuum
Must we “Q†?
Measurer :blush:
No more strokes and no more slaves,
Indeed it’s something we all crave.
But tell me ISO, what's your view?
To join the continuum
Must we “Q†?
Measurer :blush:
Is "Q" for queue? Or, "Q" for question?
Until I know, I'd just be jestin'
If I were to try and answer you,
So, please, do tell about your "Q." ;)
“Au contraire mon Capitanâ€,
To answer me you surely can. :thumbsup:
But to the stars you have to look
And boldly go with dear Jean Luc. :excited:
He’ll trek afar and show to you
Just who this is, this entity “Qâ€!
Not a "question", not a "queue",
He just appears, out of the blue. :shocked:
A pest for sure, he’ll come and go, :angry:
But there again, it’s just a show! :dontknow: :whistle:
:blush: ;) :blush:
Excellent gogh,
The continuum could never be the same without "Q"! :thumbsup:
Measurer. :hibye:
Well, sad to say, I do not know about this certain "Q."
I pray some kindly, patient soul might toss me just a clue.
Oh, Measurer, -- my Measurer, -- I'm waiting for your cue.
Without it, I'm afraid I won't know quite just what to do. :blush:
My friend ISO,
A Star Trek fan ye must not be,
To them the “Q†s no mystery.
A likeable rogue, no Borg :assimilation: is he,
The “continuum’s†where he should be.
I know … a Trekkies life is sad,
In fact, some say we are quite mad. :insane:
But what the heck, it’s just a show, :tv:
And once a week we “boldly goâ€,
Beyond the stars at warp speed four,
To “where no man has been before.†:shocked:
Phasers ready, set on stun, :shoot:
Off to explore another sun.
So here we are, all set to go,
C’mon Jean Luc, please “Make it so!â€
But wait, a knock at my front door!
Can’t join the team to go explore. :(
My VCR will tape the show,
The REAL world calls … I have to go. :drinking:
Measurer. :hibye: