Luke 12:48- But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. 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.
When you were growing up did your parents ever scold you with the phrase, “You are old enough to know better than that!” We hold children to different standards depending on their age. We expect from them what is age appropriate. So, too, in the above passage, Jesus indicates that God understands that not everyone is given the same, but those who receive rich blessings are responsible to use them to the fullest. This is not to turn faith into a rewards program where we earn God’s favor by doing certain things. What it does do is challenge us to take seriously what we have been given and understand that we are given it to use for God’s purposes and not merely our own desires. Is there anyone reading this who does not consider themselves greatly blessed? We have an abundance of material goods. We’ve been given bodies that are miraculous. We have churches and bibles and companions in faith. Not everyone in the world has these things. Maybe this would be a good week to assess what we’ve been given and how faithfully we are using it the way we think God would have us use it.
Don
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 