Much Is Required

"Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."

Luke 12:48

When implemented into every aspect of our lives, this verse comes to life in a very powerful way.  It takes a lot of humility to align ourselves with the same perspective this portion of scripture supplies.  The world would tell you to gather as much as you can for yourself, that this is the true key to happiness and success.  We live in a society that is fundamentally consumer based.  When much is given or entrusted to us, our pride will tell us we need to be given more and entrusted with more.  More, more, more, self, self, self, that's how our world views things.  This verse is very profound, in that, when we are given gifts, there is an expectation that comes with those gifts.  We know that, "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights" (James 1:17).  But, with that gift there is an expectation, much is required of us.  For those of us in recovery we say the phrase, 'you need to give it away in order to keep it'.  We say this because we know that recovery is a gift from God, and in order to keep what we are entrusted with, there is an expectation that we pass that same gift along.  Now this certainly doesn't mean that every saved person must become a pastor, or every person in recovery needs to become a counselor, but rather have the understanding that when the Lord gives you a gift of grace, it is your duty to pass it along, with the purpose of glorifying God.  This process starts with grace.  God gives us a gift or gifts that we didn't earn, and certainly don't deserve.  The next part is vital, this is when gratitude takes over.  We are filled with gratitude for the love God bestows upon us with what He gives us.  We are then motivated, in humility, by God's love and grace, to put our gratitude to work for other's.  This is the part of, 'much is required... and much will be demanded' of us.  As a new father, God has given me much.  A restored marriage, a beautiful daughter, and a new life.  All of this is God's work in my life.  And because of being entrusted and given much, I am motivated, knowing that He demands much out of me.  God demands that I am faithful to Him, and that I lead my family with love, by leading them to follow Jesus in all that we do.  Look around in your life, what has God blessed you with?  I bet if you take a deeper look with gratitude, you will realize that He has really blessed you with a lot.  Realize today, that God has blessed you with much, and He requires much of you.  God wants men and women that take action on the grace they have been shown.  Tell people how grateful you are of what God has blessed you with in your life.  Pray thanking the Lord for all that He has done for you, and ask Him to make it clear to you what He requires of you.  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!