Much Is Given
Jesus said, “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).
The Bible teaches that people are going to be held accountable for what they have been given. If they have been entrusted much talents (such as material wealth, time, education, health, etc.), they are to use them for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
If a person makes the most of the few opportunities he has been given, God will give him even greater opportunities. “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29). If talents are not used, it is only natural that they be removed.
God does not give a big thing to a man until He has tested him in a small matter; afterwards He promotes him to a greater position of responsibility. “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12).
The Faithful and Evil Servants
Jesus gave the following parable, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food [a]in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:45-51).
This parable applies in a special way to the spiritual leaders of the “household of faith” (Galatians 6:10), whose obligation it is to provide for the needs of its members, and who by word and example are to testify to their belief in the nearness of Christ’s coming. It is the shepherd’s goal to “feed the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2) and to set before it a model (verse 3) of holiness. The Lord will demand that ministers use their talents for the good of the flock. Each shepherd should fulfill faithfully the mission entrusted to him (Ezekiel 34:2–10).
Judgement Day
Each man is ultimately responsible to God, and to Him alone (Romans 14:12). The true nature of a man’s actions is not always known in this life, but it will be exposed in its true light “when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ” (Romans 2:16). Some will be weighed and found wanting in the heavenly scales. Others will receive eternal life.
Those that have accepted the Lord’s atoning sacrifice for their own sins, used their talents for God’s glory, and walked in His path, will be rewarded greatly (2 Corinthians 5:21). They will be “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). At the Judgement, Christ will say to them, “‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). But the sinners, that have rejected the Lord and didn’t use utilize His gifts for good, will reap the punishment for their sins (Revelation 20:11-16).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
