TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH WILL BE EXPECTED

Proclamation:

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.  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.”  Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter Luke begins by repeating the warning which Jesus gave to His disciples regarding the Pharisees. (Luke 12:1-5)  Then Jesus tells them that whoever publicly acknowledges Him, He will acknowledge in heaven.  But whoever disowns Him before men, He will disown. (Luke 12:8)  He then tells them the parable of the rich fool who built new barns because he had so much. (Luke 12:12-21)  After telling them not to worry about worldly things (Luke 12:35-40) Jesus then tells them about the wise and faithful servant and compares him to the foolish one. (Luke 12:41-48) 

Application:

Those of us who know better should do better.  Ignorance is no excuse for doing wrong.  The uninformed wrongdoers will be punished.  However, the informed who still do the wrong thing will be punished much more severely than those who did not know that they were doing wrong.  Those of us who know that which is right will be held to a higher standard.  Additionally, much more will be expected from those who have been blessed with more than others have.  With great ability comes greater responsibility.  We have been blessed with more than others have in order to be a blessing to others.