To whom much is given, much is required in return

Luke 12:48 (NLT)

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”

My family was one of 27 families who planted a new church in Greenwood, IN.  The church’s (New Hope Church) founding pastor, Darrel Riley, preached his first sermon in the new church building on January 3, 1988.  He declared that this verse would be the theme of the church.  Indeed, New Hope Church was located in a relatively affluent community and Pastor Riley challenged his flock with this principle.  The more you have, the more is required from you in return.  With privilege comes responsibility.   

If you go back and start with Luke 12:15, Jesus warns “against every form of greed” and then gives the parable of the rich fool.  You are a rich fool if you don’t share your riches with others (12:21).  He again speaks of being free from the grasp of money and materialism in verse 33, concluding in verse 34 with “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also”.  Then He talks about being prepared when the master (Himself) returns with the faithful steward being prepared while others carouse and are unprepared.  There is terrible judgment for those who claim to be believers (“knew their master’s will), yet did not treat others with love and acted foolishly with their carousing. 

From this context Jesus speaks of the principle of privilege and responsibility.  If you have been given much then much is required in return; in fact, even more will be required in return.  This is an expectation of God for those who believe in Him.  This passage does not speak of rewards to those who meet this expectation (other passages do such as Matthew 16:27, I Corinthians 3:11-15), but it does speak about those who do not.  Luke 12:47 and the first part of Luke 12:48 describe degrees of punishment (presumably in hell) depending whether a person knew or did not know his master’s will.

As a believer in the Lord you have been blessed with intelligence, abilities, gifts, and all kinds of physical and spiritual resources.  You are responsible—actually accountable—to use all that God has given you for His glory and honor.  If you are in a position of leadership in your church, business, and/or other organization, you must carry out your responsibilities with the idea of returning much to the Lord.  You will be judged harshly if you do not, if you live and lead selfishly and self-servingly.  Keep in mind too that the Lord is always available to help you meet/exceed His expectations (read Philippians 4:13, John 10:10b, John 15:5b, Ephesians 3:20, etc.). 

What has God given you?  How much have you been entrusted with?  What are you doing for God with what He has entrusted to you?  You are accountable because of what you have been given and blessed with.  Someday you will need to give an account of your stewardship (service/giving) to God (Luke 16:1-13).  You will not be asked about others nor can others help you, it will be between you and God.  Will you be ready?