What does Luke 12:44 mean?

Jesus wants His followers to remain diligent while He is gone: doing their work well as they await the fulfillment of the kingdom of God. Peter wants to know why Jesus is comparing all His followers to servants. He feels the disciples deserve more honor. Jesus explains that with honor comes responsibility (Luke 12:35–41).

First, the supervising servants are responsible for making sure the other servants are fed (Luke 12:42). In the context, this means the church leaders need to share the gospel and teach the churches (Acts 2:42; 6:4). They must not abuse their position by consuming the master's food and drink and beating the other servants (Luke 12:45). That is, they should not steal from the church or spiritually abuse their congregation. Because they are leaders, they will be held to a higher standard. Later, Jesus' brother James will warn, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1).

Those servant-leaders who faithfully care for Jesus' followers will receive more responsibility. When Peter points out how much the disciples have sacrificed to follow Jesus, Jesus replies, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28). So it is that the Twelve will be set over Israel during the millennial kingdom.