08/20/2025
To whom much is given much will be required. If you are a Christian you have been given eternal life and the word of God. How much then is required of you?
"I just want to make it through those pearly gates." What if I told you that's the wrong attitude? In the parable of the talents the servant which did nothing with what he was given was cast out.
That servant came to his lord and said, "I made it! I didn't do anything with what you gave me but at least I am still here!" His lord said you knew I expected more yet didn't care enough to obey me. You didn't even try. If nothing else you could have deposited it into the bank and let them do the work to increase it. Do you really even know me?
He said, "If you knew that I was a hard man and reaped where I didn't sow why do you think I would be happy with you bringing me nothing? You don't really know me. Depart from me for I never knew you."
This is belief without works. I believe the Bible, but I don't care enough to pick it up and read it. I believe God is good, but I don't want to spend time with Him. I believe He will save me, but I don't care enough to offer Him my gratitude.
This is what it looks like to be like that servant.
Jesus said not everyone that says Lord Lord to me will enter heaven. He said I was hungry and you didn't feed me. I was sick and you didn't visit me. I was naked and you didn't clothe me.
Then they said "When did we see you hungry and sick? When did we see you without clothes?" He said, "Insomuch as you have not done it to the least of my brothers you have not done it to me."
But to the others He said "I was hungry and you fed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was naked and you gave me clothes."
What do you have to give? What have you been given? What will Jesus say to you? I want to hear more than well done, you made it. I want to hear well done good and faithful servant.
I want Him to say "I was hungry for the word of God and you fed it to me. I was sick in sin and death and you came to me sharing the gospel. I was in the dark and you shined a light for me."
And you know what I'll say? I'll say I have only done that which was required of me. I just used what you gave me. I cared enough to seek you out in my life.
In that parable there were two other servants. Each one was given according to his ability. Some more, some less. God has given you according to your ability as well.
You may not be able to preach the gospel on the street corner. You may get tired reading the Bible and fall asleep every time you open it. You may not be the best Christian. But if you know Him you are going to love Him.
If you know Him you are going to act on it. You may not have much and be afraid to share the gospel, but you can encourage others to do so. You may not know the Bible forward and backwards or even be able to read it daily, but you can give someone else a Bible.
You may have very little by way of faith or ability. But you have something. Don't be satisfied with belief without action. Don't be satisfied with saying Lord Lord. But be content with the faith you have, and use it somehow.
Use it not to gain praise or reward. Use it not to benefit you. Use it because it is in your power to do so. Freely you have been given, freely give.
