Luke 12:41-48 (<<click here to read the passage)

If you were asked who said, “With great power comes great responsibility,” I would guarantee that many would attribute it to Uncle Ben, right? For those of you who don’t get the connection or who are wondering who in the world Uncle Ben is, he is the uncle of Peter Parker, also known by comic book fans as Spiderman.

Some may be shocked – sorry Spidey – but his uncle wasn’t the originator of the phrase. Many have shared it, Voltaire, Winston Churchill, and both President Roosevelts. Looking back to the aftermath of the French Revolution the phrase “They must consider that great responsibility follows inseparably from great power” is found in a collection of decrees published in May of 1793.

But, in actuality, unlike some phrases attributed to the Bible – the core of this one really is from the Bible. In verse 48 of today’s passage, Jesus said,

From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. NRSV

For those in a relationship with Christ, it’s easy to attribute this statement to pastors, to church leaders, etc. but everyone who follows Jesus wholeheartedly is gifted by Him to fulfill His command to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Mark 16:15 NLT

Now we won’t be held accountable for gifts we weren’t given but we are responsible to use what we have, no matter how big or small it is.

Here’s the end of verse 48 again, but this time from the New Living Translation,

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

You may not be able to sing. You may not be able to preach. But, if you can share an encouraging word, do it at every given opportunity! Though you may not be the richest person on the block, your act of generosity might make all the difference in someone’s life. You may not have the most sway with your words, but sometimes just standing in support of someone can change the course of events.

Use what Jesus has given you. Stand strong, and even when you feel weak or insignificant, stand strong in Him. In His command to “Go” found in Matthew 28 He also spoke these words of encouragement, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” v20 Go – you are not alone!

Aug 12th, 2020, Wed, 7:35 pm