The principle that “to whom much is given, much will be required” comes from Luke 12:48 in the Bible. In context, Jesus is teaching His disciples about being prepared for His return and being faithful stewards of what God has given us. This verse provides an important truth for all believers to understand.
1. The Background
In Luke 12, Jesus is having a discussion with His disciples about being ready and faithful in light of His second coming. He tells several parables, including the parable of the faithful and wise servant contrasted with the unfaithful servant (Luke 12:41-48). It’s in this parable that Christ utters this well-known principle: “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).
To fully grasp what Jesus is teaching, we need to understand it in its context. The disciples were expecting Jesus to usher in God’s kingdom on earth. But Jesus is explaining that there will be a delay before His return and He will come unexpectedly. In light of that, He calls them to be ready, faithful, obedient, and good stewards until He comes back.
2. The Principle Explained
The core truth is simple yet profound: If God blesses people with gifts, abilities, resources, knowledge, opportunities, and other benefits, He expects them to use those thing faithfully and responsibly. The greater the gifts, the greater the responsibility.
Jesus states this principle in both positive and negative terms. Positively, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” The more God entrusts to someone, the more He will require of them in return. Negatively, “from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” If someone does not use what God has given them responsibly, all the more will be required of them.
In short, privilege brings responsibility. Blessing brings duty. The greater the gift, the greater the accountability to use it well.
3. The Principle Applied
This truth has numerous applications in the lives of believers today. While specifically addressed to Jesus’ disciples, it is a principle for all Christians as we await Christ’s return.
First, it applies to our God-given abilities and talents. The Lord gives each person unique natural abilities, like teaching, encouragement, administration, music, craftsmanship, and more (Romans 12:6-8). If you have been gifted in some way, you are responsible to use it for God’s glory.
Second, this principle applies to knowledge. If you have been blessed to learn biblical truth and grow in wisdom, you are accountable to pass it on to others through discipleship, counseling, teaching, and living it out.
Third, it relates to spiritual gifts. Every Christian has been given spiritual gifts to build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:7). Whether prophecy, teaching, exhortation, healing, or any other gift, you are responsible to employ it for the body of Christ.
Fourth, it applies to roles and responsibilities. Leaders in the church have been entrusted with guiding Christ’s flock (Hebrews 13:17). They are accountable to the Lord for carrying out their duties faithfully and well. Parents are responsible to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Employees must view their work as working unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).
Fifth, this principle relates to finances. All our money and possessions come from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). We are responsible to handle money wisely and generously give to advance the Lord’s work (2 Corinthians 8-9). Jesus tells parables about stewards who managed resources faithfully or poorly (Matthew 25:14-30).
Sixth, it applies to the gospel. Believers have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation and ambassadorship for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). We are responsible to share the good news of salvation with others.
In summary, God expects us to use whatever He gives us – time, talents, treasures, truth, spiritual gifts, opportunities – for His purposes and glory. The more He blesses us, the more we are responsible to honor Him with it.
4. The Principle Illustrated
The Bible offers positive and negative examples of this principle in action – people who used God’s gifts well and were rewarded, and those who failed in their stewardship and were judged:
- The parables of the talents and minas commend the faithful servants who multiplied what their master gave them (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27). They highlight our responsibility with what God has allotted us.
- In 1 Corinthians 4:2, Paul states that servants and stewards must be found faithful. We have a duty to manage God’s gifts properly until He returns.
- Nehemiah was a faithful leader who used his position to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls despite much opposition (Nehemiah 1-6). His stewardship was rewarded with great success.
- Ananias and Sapphira misused their money and lied to God, violating the responsibility they had to be honest and generous (Acts 5:1-11). Their judgment showed the seriousness of poor stewardship.
- The prophet Jonah resisted his responsibility at first to preach to Nineveh, and God disciplined him until he obeyed his calling (Jonah 1-4).
These examples reinforce this biblical principle. When people are faithful with what God gives them, it typically results in increased blessing and reward. But unfaithfulness leads to loss and discipline. Either way, we are accountable.
5. The Blessings of Stewardship
While God’s expectations are high for how we use what He provides, embracing our stewardship role brings great blessings:
- It allows us to advance God’s kingdom and align our lives with His purposes.
- Faithful stewardship results in God entrusting us with even more responsibility (Matthew 25:21).
- It brings heavenly reward and the Lord’s commendation when He returns (Matthew 25:21, 23).
- We experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that come from using our gifts and resources according to God’s will.
- It strengthens our relationship with Christ as we depend on Him in stewarding His gifts.
- Our stewardship provides a powerful witness to others of God’s work through our lives.
While the expectations of stewardship are sobering, the rewards are well worth it. As we meet God’s high calling in how we employ what He has given us, it unleashes greater kingdom impact and blessing.
6. Stewardship and the Second Coming
This principle has special relevance in light of Christ’s return. Jesus delivered it specifically in the context of being watchful and ready for His coming (Luke 12:35-48). It contains important implications for us as we eagerly await His return:
- Jesus could come back at any time, so we must be faithful stewards now, not putting it off.
- We will give an account for how we used what He gave us when He returns (Romans 14:12).
- Faithful stewards will be rewarded, while unfaithful ones will be judged (Revelation 22:12).
- Using our gifts well helps advance God’s kingdom until Christ comes back.
- Stewardship prepares us for even greater responsibility in His coming kingdom.
- It keeps us focused on eternal rewards rather than worldly pursuits as we await His return.
Since Jesus could return at any moment, we must be ready and engaged in our Master’s business, using His gifts to make disciples and further His interests. Stewardship keeps us kingdom-focused and faithful as we wait for Christ’s coming.
7. Linking Privilege and Responsibility
Ultimately, this principle links privilege with responsibility. The greater the blessings and benefits God showers on us, the more we are accountable to use them according to His purposes. As Jesus taught:
- Knowledge of God’s Word comes with the duty to live it out and teach others.
- Spiritual gifts must be used to build up Christ’s church.
- Influential positions require setting an example and protecting those in our care.
- Wealth is a tool to generously support the Lord’s work, not just indulge ourselves.
This mindset of stewardship should permeate everything we do. The Christian life is not just receiving from God’s gracious hand; it includes joyfully giving back with the gifts He provides. Our Lord calls us to be conduits of His grace, not cul-de-sacs. The measure of privilege we enjoy is matched by our wide-ranging responsibility. That is the essence of what it means that “to whom much is given, much will be required.”
8. Embracing Stewardship
The right response to grasping this biblical principle is to embrace our stewardship wholeheartedly. Here are some ways to apply “to whom much is given, much will be required” to our lives:
- Thank God regularly for the privileges and gifts He has given you.
- Take inventory of what God has entrusted to you – your skills, resources, knowledge, and more.
- Prayerfully assess areas where your stewardship needs to improve.
- Dedicate every gift back to God and seek ways to use it for His purposes.
- Be willing to step up and take on greater responsibility in service to the Lord.
- Find joy in stewardship by viewing it as a means of partnership with Christ.
- Remember that your gifts are not just for your benefit but for others.
- Be ready to give an account for how you have stewarded God’s gifts.
As we grow in embracing our responsibility as stewards, it unleashes God’s kingdom purposes through our lives. With an attitude of gratitude and accountability, we can joyfully give back to God in proportion to how much He has richly blessed us.
9. Conclusion
The words of Christ, “to whom much is given, much will be required” provide every Christian with an important principle to live by. It reminds us that all we have comes from God, and He expects us to use it responsibly for His glory. The greater the gifts and blessings, the greater the responsibility. As we await Jesus’ return, this truth compels us to be faithful stewards who depend on Him to fulfill His calling through us. While God’s expectations are high, the rewards are even greater. Embracing stewardship is the only proper response to all we have received in Christ.