In this parable, Jesus appeals to the disciples' sense of justice as He describes the two different outcomes for all people when Jesus returns, but particularly for the disciples who were given spiritual authority in His Name. In the story, the master of the household is Jesus and the servants are all the people in the world. In case it seems demeaning for people to be servants, stop and think: who is the boss, us or God?
 
There are two sorts of servants: those who are careful to act wisely on behalf of the master while he is away, and those who take advantage of his absence to please themselves and ignore their responsibilities. The heart-attitudes of these two groups are poles apart. The point of the story is not that one is good and the other is bad; but that those who are faithful to their commission are doing exactly what they would do if their master was watching them, and the others have calculated that he will never know, and do not care anyway.
 
But the Lord knows everything. He not only knows what we do but why we do it: to glorify Him or to glorify ourselves. It is that heart-attitude which is rewarded or punished – not how successful we are, or not, in doing our duty. The servant with the unfaithful heart was destined to hell, the place of eternal remorse with no relief. However both groups were equal in one matter: neither knew when their master would return. But those who loved him acted as if he was with them all the time, and so they were ready for his return; however the unfaithful servant was glad that he was not there, and so his return was a shock which soon turned into an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
 
Jesus wanted the disciples and the church they would teach to want to please Him, whether He was present or not. Paul applies this principle to the Christian in the workplace, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do" (Ephesians 6:4-8a). Our attitude at work is a useful way to check how ready we are to meet the Lord!