“And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. 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,” Luke 12:47-48, KJV.
It is quite evident that many in this world want fame, fortune, elite status, or maybe a combination of them all. Often these sought after things are not for the benefit of others, rather for self-gain. The tragedy or downfall in this kind of thinking is in the foundation itself. I’m sure many of us are familiar with the scripture about the love of money in 1 Timothy 6:10, KJV, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” God wants us to have life and to have it more abundantly. He wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labor. God enjoys seeing His children happy; more importantly filled with joy and of course that peace that surpasses all understanding. But He wants it to stem from Him, not the things that He gives to us.
Let us consider for a moment the preceding verses (Luke 12) beginning at 42 continuing through to the 46th, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”
This sounds very relevant today. Many find themselves waiting on God for relief in many situations, but then turn to their own devices saying that God is delayed, that He isn't coming fast enough. Many claim to wait on the Lord, yet "handle" problems on their own accord that goes completely against His will. “And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” For those who know better and still willfully disobey (not asking God for help or deliverance, but relax in their sin) will be beaten with more stripes than the ones who did the same things and didn’t know any better. Look at all that is afforded to us and how much knowledge we have at our fingertips. Many read the Bible, know the word of God, yet discard or disregard the information. Why do so many refuse to do what they know is right? It is quite evident now (as if it wasn’t before) that tomorrow is not promised. God gives to us and yet we ask for more. But in the receiving, “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…”
Additional Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8
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