To whom much is given
Luke 12:47-48
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
As we pass from one celebration of abundance in food and lifestyle (thanksgiving) to another in materials and things that will terminate on ourselves with Christ sprinkled on top (Christmas). I wonder if the Lord is peering down from heaven thinking, “this is the much I have in mind for those who eagerly await my return”. As I see a number of folks boast of the food they ate and threw away, myself included, even to the glory of our Lord, I can’t stop the conviction of God’s word in my soul “…much will be required”.
As I come across this picture and caption I did a meanwhile thought in my head. While I was complaining about the plumbing going out, while leaving the faucet on for no reason at all, just days after a feast and leftovers from thanksgiving; meanwhile there are hosts of people dehydrated and 428 dead in Zimbabwe. Heaven forbid the mentioning of distressed situations that continue around the globe which are too many to number. God’s scriptures continue to ring in my soul”…much will be required”.
I know water and food do not equal Christ (2 cor 6:10), but they are vehicles that God can use to exalt his name. With the abundance that we have and the polar lack of resources locally and abroad I pray that we don’t hide behind the facade of being thankful, when it’s really about our comfort, slothfulness an refusal to think and live out the kingdom. I pray we don’t hide behind the facade of glorying God for the many “blessings” when we are really using Christ name to approve our gluttony. I pray that we don’t pray for God to change these situations when he has “given” us the brains and the resources to be the answer. I pray the we do not wait for Christ return and focus on our personal piety when he has called us to be his hands and feet.
So what is required? Something more than a prayer and tears that roll down the cheek in a moment of emotions. In the words of C.J. Mahaney “I don’t know what you are going to do with this truth but you, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, must apply it” because “…to whom much was given, of him much will be required…”
One of my favorite quotes is from Thomas Fuller’s “Gnomologia,” published in 1732. It says, “He does not believe that does not live according to his beliefs.” It seems a lot of Christians in modern culture are quick to talk about what they believe, but when it comes to living it out there’s a hesitation, as if they aren’t sure they want to act on the conviction of their hearts.
I’m also reminded of something Francis Chan said in his book “Crazy Love.” He asked the question, “Do you want to see God more than you desire security?” What a punch in the stomach! But true. We’re more interested in investments and saving for our retirement and making sure our credit card bills are paid than we are in feeding the hungry, healing the sick or reaching the lost.
This time of year it’s easy to be so “thankful” for our blessings that we forget the rest of the world. Thanks for writing this, Adam.
Peace.
Thank you – I was actually searching for
a biblical scripture “to whom much is given..”. I couldn’t remember the word “required”. I was thinking “expected”. But there is a big difference between the two words. Expected suggested you can do it or not – without accountability. Required, to me, suggest that there is accountability – one because you were trusted with the “much” and/or because it is all a part of a larger plan and your part needs to be played out.
This is my Christmas gift – again thank you for writing it.
Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder’n bout this issue,so thanks for posting
How soon will you update your blog? I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.