To whom much is given

 

“To whom much is given, much is required” This saying reminds us of two vitally important truths:

1. Everything we have is from God.

For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Cor 4:7)

2. We will be evaluated by God for how we use what He has given us.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required (Lk 12:48)

God has bestowed wonderful gifts and abilities.  Life itself is a gift.  Our families and friends are a gift.  Our physical and intellectual abilities vary according to God’s sovereign design for each person (Ps 139).  Certainly, our spiritual gifts are distributed as God decrees. (Ro 12:6) Some may say, “I’ve worked hard for what I have.”  Doesn’t that ability to work hard and that opportunity come from above?

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (Jas 1:17)

By observing the world around us we see that some are blessed with more than others.  Maybe you would say that it does not seem fair.  But look a little closer.  That person with abundant gifts and abilities will be evaluated more strictly.  God expects far more from those with greater opportunity.   

It is not how much you have, but what you do with what you have.

Obviously, God has given some greater capacity to serve Him.  These people must strive to live in such a way that God is pleased and serve Him in such a way that He is glorified.  The same is true for all.  Ultimately, we are all judged by our faithfulness not by our giftedness.

In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. (1 Cor 4:2)

I do not know about you, but I would rather be someone with moderate gifts that uses them extremely well, that an extremely gifted person who uses them moderately well.

God has sovereignly given gifts and abilities. He also expects us to seek after Him and learn from Him.  We have unlimited potential.  Jesus clearly teaches that those who receive truth will receive more truth.  Those who believe His words and act on them will gain greater insight, and so forth.

Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. (Mt 13:11-12)

 We are accountable for what we know AND what we do

• God reveals truth.
• How we respond to that truth determines if we receive more truth.
• We must put into action what God reveals.
• The more God gives us, the more we are accountable.
• Ultimately, we are evaluated for our faithfulness to the truth.

This shows the progressive nature of our walk with God.  As the Lord reveals truth, we must receive it and embrace it.  Live by it.  As this happens, He reveals more truth, which makes us more accountable.  As we accept and believe what He gives, we have new standards to strive towards.  As we faithfully apply what we are learning, we learn more.  Greater aspects of truth open to us.  True biblical wisdom results- applied knowledge. 

So where does this truth come from?  The Word of God, the Holy Bible. 

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Mt 7:24-29)

 Let us all determine to be students of the Bible, students who apply what they learn faithfully.  Let us be “lifetime learners”.

All the passages in this post come from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995)