To Whom Much is Given

To Whom Much is Given

Words of Faith 9-10-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 12

     [48] From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

       This is one verse that merits careful contemplation.

       Jesus was teaching about readiness. He used a parable to communicate the need for the people of God to live in a state of readiness that anticipates His imminent return. He further made the point that some are left with a sacred trust of caring for the other servants during the time of waiting. Jesus made it clear that there is accountability for those who are entrusted with the things and people of God. But now there is an even stronger statement.

       So we might ask this question: Am I blessed? Have I been given a good job and relative wealth and comfort in this world? If so, then much is demanded of us. What a strong word! The word is not "expected" or "hoped for." Jesus used the strongest of words and even stated the matter two different ways.

       Have you been given the blessing of spiritual guidance and nurture? Have you been given the blessing of Scriptural study and insight? Then much will be demanded. Have you been entrusted with a great deal of blessing? Entrusted with finances or responsibility? Then much more will be asked of you.

       In a sense, we live in a very frightening time because as a nation we are so blessed. As a community we are very blessed. As a church we are extremely blessed. Jesus was clear. Much will be demanded of us. Much has been given to us. Much is expected.

       We might be tempted to suggest that we have not been blessed with very much. "I am no Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos." But the fact that we are reading this devotion at a computer this puts us in the top percentage of the world technologically. If we own that computer we are part of an even smaller group globally.

         If we live in a home with only one family, we are in the top percent of wealth world-wide. If we live on more than $1 a day, we are in the top 80% of the world population. If we own a Bible, we are in the highest percentage of spiritual wealth. We are blessed.

       People sometimes worry: What if God does not bless us?   What if we don't have enough? What if there is not an abundance of finances? What if we don't have much? Perhaps this is not the real concern. The worry, if there is one, may be if God blesses us greatly. What if God abundantly provides? From everyone who has been given much, much is demanded. Much is required. As a church and nation, because God has provided so much, much is required. God has blessed and entrusted much to us. We will be judged by a higher standard.

         Now is Jesus talking about salvation? No. Scripture is clear that salvation is by grace and this is received through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). But Jesus is saying that we are accountable for what is entrusted to us. And because we have been given much we have much to be accountable for.

       This is a time to be ready, dressed and waiting with a lamp lit for the return of our Lord. If you have not made the basic preparation of a relationship with Him, you need to do so today. This is a time when we need to realize that we are especially accountable to feed others.   This is a time to recognize that much will be demanded. These are the most demanding of times but also the most exhilarating imaginable.

       Father God, thank You for Your blessings. Show me how it is that You want me to manage Your wealth, materially and spiritually, that You have entrusted to me. Teach me Your ways. Give me Your heart. In Jesus' name.