Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his household to give them meat in due season?

Alternative: Who then is the faithful and prudent servant who his master has set over his other servants to give them support in critical times?

All the common translations sound a lot like the one from KJV, seemingly coming out of left-field. All these translation talk about feeding the household, but that really isn't what Christ is saying here if you look at the Greek. Instead, this verse is consistent with everything else he has been saying in this chapter.

This statement is a challenge to those who hear Christ's message about staying faithful during times of trouble. Not only do we need to hold to our purpose, but it is our job to help others by giving them support and sustenance in critical times.

Christ has used servants as a servant for people in this life many times. The master or lord is always God. Because God is "away," that is, hidden, we are the servants entrusted with keeping his property, which is all of the earth and all our fellow servants. Christ calls himself a servant and says that those who lead as he leads must serve others rather than rule them.

This verse echoes the entire purpose of our existence and the meaning of life, the essence of freedom and the value of our making our own decisions. If God lived among us, we would have no choice but to do what he wanted. The other "servants" wouldn't need us. God would make all the decisions. We wouldn't be free. We would truly be slaves (as the word here, doulos, really means).

However because God is the absent master who has left his servants in charge, we are free. We have to make decisions. We are responsible to our fellows when they need us. God didn't abandon us. He left us alone so that we can become more than slaves, so that we can make good decision, so we can help others. But it is our choice: it is never obvious and certain that we are being watched.

"Wise" is from phronimos, which means "in one's right mind," "showing presence of mind," "sensible," "prudent," and "possessing sagacity or discernment."

"Has made ruler" is from kathistêmi (kathistemi) which means "to set down," "to bring down," "to bring into a certain state," "to make," "to be established," "to be instituted," and "to stand against."

"Household" is from therapeia, which means "service," "attendance," "medical service," "care," and "a body of servants."

"Meat" is from trophê (trophe), which means "nourishment," "food," "that which provides sustenance," "provisions," "nurture," "rearing," and "education."

"Due season" is from kairos, which means "due measure," "proportion," "fitness," "exact time," "season," "opportunity," "time," "critical times," "advantage," and "profit."