The Parable of the Householder

Bible Reading: Matthew 13:51-52

The Parable of the Householder is a much neglected one. I have not heard anyone preaching a sermon on this. But, I believe, it has an important lesson for us.

Jesus taught the disciples about how the Kingdom of Heaven would grow as well as about the nature of that Kingdom. The Dragnet and Wheat and Tares pictured the coming judgment. After teaching the disciples all they needed to know about the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus asked them if they had understood those things (V51). When the disciples replied in the affirmative, Jesus proceeded to teach them about their responsibility!

The scribes knew only the Old Testament, but the disciples who had been with Jesus knew the life-changing Gospel in addition to the Old Testament. Jesus said that the disciples were like a householder who possessed treasures, both new and old, including knowledge of the Old Testament as well as the New, because of their association with Jesus.

People say, ‘Knowledge is power.’ But all knowledge is not power. Only the right knowledge applied correctly is power. If it is not understood correctly and if applied randomly, it will only lead to disaster. Knowledge is not only power; with knowledge comes a great responsibility. That is why Jesus wanted to know if the disciples had understood His teachings up to that point before telling them of their responsibility. 

A householder was the chief steward of a household. He operated under his master’s authority. Joseph was a householder in Potiphar’s house. Jesus compared the disciples to the householder who had stewardship over his master’s treasures. The good news of the Gospel is a treasure committed to every disciple of Jesus!

What does this parable mean for us today?

We are the disciples who have this knowledge of the Old and the New Testaments. God has given us the Bible. We have personally experienced the love of Jesus. It is our responsibility to tell the world of the Cross and the empty grave so that mankind can escape judgment at the end of times.

My friend, remember, with knowledge comes great responsibility. We cannot be silent now. Jesus is the treasure we have to share with the world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I understand the great responsibility I have as a child of God. Help me, Lord, to be a good steward and spread this life-changing good news to the hurting world. Amen.