The meaning of Luke 12:48 “To whom much is given much is required”
We cannot understand the context of this statement without looking back at what precedes the message. Anytime Jesus moves around with the disciples, He always seizes the opportunity to teach and prepare them for the task ahead.
In this chapter, when Jesus finished with innumerable multitude of people. He began teaching His disciples. He started by condemning hypocrisy, saying, there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
He admonished them to be transparent and open in their conversations and to understand that whatever they say in the dark will be heard in the light, and whatever they say secretly will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Jesus taught them to embrace the fear of God by confessing Him boldly before men.
“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.” ( Luke 12 verses 8 to 10)
He could read the fear in them even as He was still with them. This He prepared them for when He will no more be among them. He encouraged them to stand on their feet whenever they appeared to preach the word in the synagogues or stand before the magistrates and authorities.
He also reminded them of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, which will always teach them what to say.
Jesus went further to tell them the parable of the rich fool. The point of the parable was to educate them not to hold anything back unto themselves but to offer all they have unto God including their life. According to Paul, everything we have at first was given unto us by God.
Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4 verse 7,
“For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
The ground of the rich man yielded plentifully with many crops. He was so full of himself that he made this foolish statement, “‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? I will do this, I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.
God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?
The statement “To whom much is given, much is required” would have been made to them here but Jesus decided to give them further teachings. The rich fool possesses the whole world according to him but lost his soul.
He went further to tell them the story of a faithful servant. This is where Jesus nailed it on the head. He gave the final word and encouraged them to always keep their plow on the ground, doing the works of God without being weary, waiting for the coming of the Son of man which no man knows when He will return.
The gospel of Luke chapter 12 verses 39 to 40 says,
“But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Jesus wanted to be sure they understood him. He asked Peter for clarity, Who then is then a faithful and wise steward whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
The answer is given in Luke chapter 12 verses 37,
“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.”
It was also reiterated in verses 43 and 44,
“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has”
The two biblical passages above reveal God’s delight in those who make His kingdom of heaven their priority.
He detests the unfaithful servant, and slothful believers, who have different gifts and can do the work of God in various forms but choose to be lazy. Those who know the will of God, and did not prepare themselves or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes while those who do not, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few.
No one has any excuse to stay idle. Believers who have the knowledge and understanding of God but refuse to align are the ones with deeds worthy of a flogging and severe beating. These groups of people have done things worthy of a beating or things worthy of punishment.
The other set of people is those without the knowledge of God who will only suffer less punishment of light beating or light whipping.
The spiritual gifts and the calling of God to men are without repentance. God did not regret those gifts and callings and would not revoke them but He expect us to use them for the glory and honor of His name.
Human beings are endowed with one gift or the other. There is no one that God creates without any special gifts or talents. Some are even blessed with greater gifts. The display of these talents depends on how early one identifies these gifts or if it is identified at all.
God does not expect us to hide those natural abilities but to use them to fulfill our purpose on earth.
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” ( Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 to 13)
This statement of Jesus has become very popular, not limited to Christians alone. It was also used in the popular film, Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Where in the Bible can we find “To whom much is given much is required”?
“To whom much is given much is required” can be found in the holy bible verse, the Book of Luke chapter 12 verse 48,
“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.”
This is a statement of Jesus to his disciples.
Early Christian culture affirms that Luke is the author of this chapter. Luke was not with Jesus throughout his ministry but covers all the events surrounding the life and death of Jesus, and also the kick-off and spread of the gospel of early church in the book of Acts of Apostles. The chapter was written around 80 to 90 AD.
What is the difference in biblical translations of” To whom much is given much is required” (NKJV, KJV, NIV & ESV)?
NKJV biblical translation
“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.”
KJV biblical translation
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
NIV biblical translation
“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.”
ESV biblical translation
“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.”
There is no difference between NKJV and KJV translations. The two translations are written almost the same way.
The difference is between NIV and ESV translations.
Demanded in NIV is replaced by required in ESV. The two phrases mean a form of essential or compulsory request.
The phrase much more will be asked in NIV is replaced by they will demand the more in ESV, which both mean indefinite requests.
However, the four translations have the same meaning.
How do I maximize God-given talents?
God gave us talents to be used for Him and His kingdom on earth. Everyone has specific talents God has entrusted in us so we can use them to glorify Him in return.
The discovery of such talent is vital in actualizing the plan and purpose of God for our lives.
The simplest reference is in the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah. All aspects of the jobs were done by men of different skills and experience no wonder the desolate suddenly became the envy of the world. ( Nehemiah chapter 3)
Another reference is found in the New Testament of the Christian bible where Jesus gave his disciples the parable of the talents. This is another better way to discuss this phrase. In this parable of Jesus, a man traveling to a far country called his servants and delivered his goods to them.
He gave five talents to one, to another two, and to another one. The man gave to each according to his ability, and immediately went on a journey.
The one with five talents and one with two traded their talents and made double what was given to them but the one with one went and buried the talent in the ground. The outcome was given in the scriptural texts below.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them. His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25 verses 20 to 23)
The one with one talent came to meet the master with complaints and murmuring. Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
The master retrieved the one talent from this worthless servant and gave it to the one that has ten talents, referred to him as a wicked servant. Our talents are not to be kept but to be used. God is looking for delightsome believers today. Men and women of passion for His kingdom.
How do I serve God with my Talents?
Kingdoms stewardship is the best way to showcase our God-given talents. Imagine you go to a church service that is missing the choir, how will such a service be?
Let us look at it in another way. You enter a church, and the whole place is untidy, very dirty.
Kingdom stewardship simply means the practical involvement in the service of God’s kingdom through various channels to benefit others. We can also serve God with our substance. This is termed financial stewardship.
“Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The Lord will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.” ( Zachariah chapter 1 verse 17)
I am opportune to be among the follow-up group in my church, we have a custom of calling all the first-timers after every Sunday service. One of the questions we ask is,
How was the service today? What do you enjoy most in the service?
The answers are always similar. The service is awesome.
The choir ministration is wonderful.
The sermon is powerful.
The ushers and the hospitality are very friendly, I would love to join the church.
All these church stewards are men and women who have given the work of God much importance and have decided to use their good works to serve God. Our little children must also be encouraged to learn this attitude from a young age.
The parents have greater responsibility and must show qualities of great leadership and hard work to ensure this is achieved.
Identify your gifts, and engage in kingdom service. If you have musical ability you can join a unit such as choir. Other service groups are sanctuary keepers, hospitality, security units, protocols, crowd control, technical, and lots more. Do not be a member of the crowd but be involved in adding great value for the benefit of others.
1 Peter chapter 4 verses 9 to 10 admonishes,
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Remember everyone will receive his rewards according to his labour.
How do I serve God acceptably?
Faithfully
We all understand what faithfulness and loyalty means in our various vocations and professional environment. Without this, you will be seen as an enemy of the progress of the organization. In the same vein, God demands our faithfulness for how service is to be rewarded.
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” ( 1 Corinthians 4 verses 1 to 2)
Diligently
Our service must be in a way that shows care and consciousness of the task assigned to us. God only rewards those who diligently seek Him.
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” ( Proverbs 22 verse 29 King James Version)
Joyfully
The Bible says enter His gate with thanksgiving, and His court with praise. All the harvests in the field are withered because joy is missing. Let your service be made with joy and excitement. Your service shall not turn to a curse in Jesus’ name.
“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.” ( Deuteronomy 28 verses 47 to 48)
Conclusion
The good news is God is not a user of men but a rewarder of those who serve him.
1 Corinthians 15 verse 58 says,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
You may not look like it today, keep pressing. God is too faithful.
Galatians 6 verse 7 to 9 confirms the faithfulness of God to those who serve Him,
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
As you continue to serve God, He will not stop blessing you, He will take sicknesses away from your midst, nothing shall be barren or cast their young in your land, and the numbers of your days He shall fulfill.