"And the servant who had knowledge of his lord's desires and was not ready for him and did not do as he was ordered, will be given a great number of blows; But he who, without knowledge, did things for which punishment is given, will get only a small number of blows. The man to whom much is given, will have to give much; if much is given into his care, of him more will be requested." Luke 12:47-48
Jesus is telling the parable of the Faithful Steward. In this parable He warns that if the steward decides his master is delaying his return and then begins to mistreat others, get drunk, living an ungodly and immoral life, the master will come on a day when the steward isn't expecting him and at a time when he is unaware. Then Jesus goes on to tell of the punishments that will be given to the various servants.
The meaning of this parable is to warn us to never become discouraged in our wait for the return of Jesus. We're not to develop the attitude that His return is still a long ways off and decide we're safe living a lifestyle we want instead of how God wants us to live. That attitude won't work. Because the day is coming when the grace period is up for those who still haven't given God control over their lives. There will be no more second chances. The time will come when God will make the following declaration;
Revelation 22:11 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
In the next part of the parable Jesus says that those who knew they were doing wrong would be greatly punished but those who did not know they were doing wrong would receive a lighter punishment. However, noticed that the second group is still punished. Not finding out what God desires of us is not going to keep us from facing the results of our actions. I once knew a lady who didn't want to study her Bible because she didn't want to be held accountable for doing wrong. That doesn't work. I believe the reason the second group, in the parable, received a punishment because they didn't try to find out what their master wanted of them. We are responsible for getting to know God and finding out what He requires of us.
The last part of the parable Jesus explains that we are accountable for what we are given or trusted with. If a person is given much, then God expects them to be generous in return. If a person is trusted with much or is given responsibility and care over much, then more will be requested of that person. Or another way of saying it is if a person can't be responsible for the little things, they will not be blessed with greater things. If they can not handle their duties or position in life with care and responsibility then God is not going to trust them with greater duties or a higher position. These gifts and responsibilities are not meant to be an albatross or a weary load for us. They are something that will cause us to mature spiritually and emotionally. There is a joy in serving God and knowing He finds you worthy and able to do the work He asks of you. When all others knock you down and make you feel worthless, and the Creator of the Universe says, “Hey I need you. You have been faithful in the little things and have proven yourself qualified and trustworthy for the work I have for you.” There is no better sense of satisfaction and contentment than that.