To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required

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The phrase “to whom much is given, much is required” is found in the Bible and is used to remind us of our duty to use our resources for God's glory. This concept teaches us that the Lord has entrusted us with a variety of gifts, talents, and abilities and expects us to use them for His purposes. This can manifest itself in various ways, from simply being thankful for what He has blessed us with to using our gifts to make an impact on the world around us.

God’s Word reminds us of the responsibility we have when it comes to how we use the blessings He has given to us. The Bible says in Luke 12:48, “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.”

In other words, God expects those who are gifted with wealth or any kind of blessing to use it wisely in order to honor Him. This can mean being generous with one’s resources or using them to glorify the Lord through good works.

This principle also applies to our personal relationships as God calls on those who have been blessed with strong family ties or meaningful friendships to use these relationships well - by loving others and serving the Lord faithfully through them. Similarly, He challenges those who are well-educated or possess special skillsets, such as artistry or music-making, to use these gifts for divine purposes.

God may ask some people more than others because He is Sovereign. However, this doesn’t mean that He doesn’t expect something from everyone as He intends for each person to contribute something according to their capabilities and resources at hand. Therefore, every individual should strive for excellence in whatever capacity they can because nothing goes unnoticed by the Lord - even if no one else sees it.

A woman holds a Bible and points to the scripture about to whom much is given.

What does 'to whom much is given, much is required' mean?

Luke 12:48 reads, "'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." This scripture emphasizes the principle of "to whom much is given, much is required," specifically highlighting God's Word that those with blessings are held to a higher standard and responsibility.

God is essentially telling us that those blessed with spiritual or material possessions must use those blessings for good - not just for oneself, but for others too.

For example, if you are blessed to have enough money to buy a nice house and other luxury items, God expects you to use some of your wealth to provide for people who don't have as much. It's like He is saying that it's not just about having or achieving things, it's also about how we use what He gives us.

Moreover, the Lord is emphasizing the importance of humility in this verse. He wants us to understand that all good things come from Him and should not be taken lightly. We should always remain humble and know that our success comes from Him.

He is also reminds us that we should use our resources responsibly, sharing them with others, and always keep Him at the center of our lives no matter what we achieve or obtain in life.

Everything belongs to Him - even our talents and gifts - and therefore it's up to us how we choose to use them. God encourages us to use them in a responsible manner so that other people can benefit from them as well. Work hard for what we have been given and then share it generously with others out of gratitude.

Who said to whom much is given?

It was the late John F. Kennedy, the former President of the United States that said, “For of those to whom much is given much is required.” This statement was based off of the Bible scripture verse found in Luke 12:48 which says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

What does Luke 12:48 mean in the Bible?

This scripture verse is talking about responsibility. When God gives increase into a person's life, He then requires it be responsibly stewarded. Whether it is more of His anointing or promotion at work, the Lord requires even more from that individual.

A Bible lies on a table and it is opened to Luke 12:48.

Bible Scripture Verses Related To Luke 12:48 (KJV)

Matthew 13:12 - For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Genesis 39:8-23 - But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Luke 16:2 - And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Luke 16:10-12 - He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

Matthew 25:14-29 - For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Romans 2:12-16 - For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:17-18 - For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

1 Timothy 1:11 - According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

1 Timothy 6:20 - O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Titus 1:3 - But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

James 3:1 - My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.