Why: “From Whom Much is Given, Much Is Expected”

The Bible says that those who have been given more than others (on earth) are expected to do more with their resources. I understand this to mean physical assets like money. But does it mean psychological things too? For example, if someone loves to be around people, does that mean they have “more” than someone who’s shy and scared to be around others? Would that then excuse the shy person from not witnessing because God knows how hard it is for them?

The verse “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” comes from Luke 12:48 where it concerns knowing the Lord’s will for our life.

In Romans 12:1-2 Paul explained how to discover the Lord’s will for us. Continuing in Romans 12:4-5 he compared the body of Christ with the human body. He said the human body is composed of different members and these members don’t all have the same function. Each member performs according to its special ability. Then, speaking of the Church, he said,

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8). Exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit, Love, encompasses all (Gal 5:22 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control) against such things there is no law.

To me this means a couple of things. First, we all have different gifts so we shouldn’t all be required to do the same job. Second, we should focus on the gifts we’ve been given and exercise them to the best of our ability, as for the Lord.

I think this is what the Lord meant when He said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded”. The greater our level of giftedness, the greater will be His expectation that we use our gifts to accomplish His will for our life. Solomon, the king who had all the worldly riches knows firsthand saying: “that a life without God is not worth living”.