MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED

Luke 12:48 …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 verse is quoted often, usually as a response to someone’s wealth, with the motive of shaming them into sharing their wealth with those less fortunate.  Of course the person doing the shaming rarely offers any of their own wealth and ignores the fact that those with plenty have usually earned it with hard work, but that is a subject for a different blog.  When we read the entire Luke 12 parable containing this partial verse, we see it is not about money at all.

This parable is regarding faithfulness and handling the responsibilities you have been called to, with great care, wisdom and reverence.  The Servant or Steward that fulfilled the responsibility given to him by the Master was rewarded by being entrusted with all that belonged to the Master.  But then there was the Steward that became a little to enamored with his lofty position.  He looked with disdain on the very ones that had been entrusted to him to watch over and began to beat and abuse them.  He then began to fulfill his own selfish desires in consuming and drunkenness, partaking of the Master’s storehouse, all the while neglecting to care for the things and people dear to the Master’s heart.  The Master returned before the expected time and to put it mildly was very displeased.  Punishment was meted out to the Unfaithful Steward and we come to the latter part of the oft quoted verse, Luke 12:48.  With that understanding, I ask, “What has been entrusted to me?”  “What gifts and talents have I been given stewardship over and am I being a Faithful Steward?” 

It is easy to look around at our humble surroundings, balance our meager checking account and get our eyes on those that have been successful by the world’s standards and make excuses.  Excuses are not new to God.  Hebrews 3 calls Moses “faithful in all his house,” yet we find in Exodus 4, Moses making excuses.  Before God could get Moses to Hebrews 3, He had to get him past Exodus 4.  God had given Moses the stewardship over all the Israelites and the assignment of leading them out of Egypt.  One of the first tasks, Moses would undertake was to appear before Pharaoh. Moses began to roll out the excuses. “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me?”  “What if they say, “The Lord has not appeared to you.”  God didn’t argue with Moses but answered in Exodus 4:2 “What is that in your hand?”  When God calls you to Stewardship, He calls you to be a Steward over those things “He has placed in YOUR hand.”

WHAT HAS GOD PLACED IN YOUR HAND?

The gifts and talents that God has placed in your hand and the Stewardship God requires from you will be totally different than the Stewardship over gifts and talents God requires from your brother or sister.  “What has God placed in your hand?”  Perhaps God has placed you in a situation that provides you with a lot of SPARE TIME.  Is all of the extra time spent on selfish pursuits or are you a Faithful Steward, using it to bless others?  Maybe God has blessed you with a DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WORD.  Has your insight and revelation become a source of pride or are you a Good Steward of “what God has placed in your hand?”  Could it be that God has placed a SPIRIT OF COMPASSION AND MERCY deep inside your heart?  Don’t waste such a wonderful gift; find the hurting, those that have been cast aside, they are begging you to be a Good Steward.  Whether it is WISDOM, LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, UNIQUE EXPERIENCES and yes, even MONEY that has been placed in your hands, God is calling you to be a FAITHFUL STEWARD.

Faithfulness to the Call of God is never without reward…Luke 12:43-44 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. It isn’t about the riches we have amassed or the empires we have built, the Master requires you to be a Faithful Steward over all that HE has provided. 

Luke 12:48 …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.

SOMETIMES GOD SAYS "NO" SO HE CAN SAY "YES!" (AND SOMETIMES "YES" IS JUST FOR A SEASON)

THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN 5 YEARS AGO.  Reading it again today, I realized that sometimes God says “YES” for just a short season and it seems we are right back where we started.  In the five years since I first wrote this, following the will of God has taken a few twists and turns and hasn’t turned out exactly like I imagined.  But I am convinced more today than I was back then that GOD IS FAITHFUL and He does still have a “YES” in his plan for me.

There is nothing more fulfilling than being involved in the work of God.  It is so awesome to realize that you are a small piece of God’s master plan.  Each morning I pray that God will open my eyes and help me to accomplish what He has planned for that day.  This prayer has led to some strange and interesting situations at the grocery store, a nursing home, my office, the subdivision where I live and other places I frequent.  It is so amazing while meditating on God’s goodness in the evening to suddenly realize that the events of the day were not strange or coincidental at all. They were orchestrated by God and I was a part of them!!!

About 7 years ago, Steve and I felt led to start a small group in our town.  Although we are surrounded by many churches, there is no church that teaches the Acts 2:38 message in our immediate area.  It began as a small group in our home where we met once a week to study the Word of God, share testimonies of God’s goodness and pray for each other’s needs.  As the group expanded we began to look for a building and held our first services there about 5 years ago.  For the next 4 years we continued to minister to people and reach out to the community.  Although many people visited, our core group remained small.  About eighteen months ago, the core shrunk to 3 individuals and we felt God telling us, “NO.”  Our last service was Easter Sunday, 2009.    It took several months for me to go back into the building because I was not ready to let go. I was sure it was the will of God but still I grieved.

As the months continued, Steve and I prayed, wept and sought God for direction.  During that time we learn to see opportunities one day at a time and allow God to use us for that specific situation.  We felt a burden for small churches and traveled on weekends to minister in them.  I was privileged to complete 3 different Bible Study series and to teach them in small group settings.  God allowed me to speak at some ladies meetings and seminars.  I volunteered at the Rescue Mission and worked with hospice.  I was blessed every time I saw God work in a situation or we enjoyed a powerful service in one of the small churches, but still something was missing.  I had a longing to be a pastor’s wife again!!! I wanted to walk beside precious people as they worked out the issues in their lives, cry with them as they let go of the pain and rejoice when the joy of the Lord filled their heart.  I was not very good at “lovin’ and leavin’.

Some opportunities began to present themselves.  Every time we were optimistic; could this be the place God wanted us to minister?  As we prayed for direction, it seemed as if God had forgotten that YES was also a word.  The door would always shut with a resounding NO.  There was one opportunity we were so sure would be perfect.  Everything seemed to be falling into place except for one important detail.  This had to be God’s plan for our lives, but to be sure we put a “fleece” before the Lord.  We soon realized that although the fleece was wet the ground was very dry.  We continued to pray about this one, because it was so “perfect” for our lives.  One more “fleece” went before the Lord.  This time, you guessed it, the ground was wet but the fleece was dry.  God had not only answered our “fleece” but had taken the desire for this opportunity out of our hearts.  So we continued to seek God’s will.

When we come to the end of our own imagination, God shows us His.  God slapped us upside the head with an open door that we never saw coming, could not have imagined or even dreamed up.  On August 22, 2010 we had our first service as pastor of Cornerstone Apostolic Church, Morristown, TN.  Even as I write this, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of my God, tears fill my eyes and I may have to take a little praise break right here.  God reached way up north in Saginaw, MI, touched a seeking pastor and his wife, filled our hearts with love for a beautiful congregation way down south in Morristown, TN.  He has not only given us the desire of our heart but is allowing it to be fulfilled in one of the most beautiful areas in America.

  ADDENDUM…Little did we know that this YES would be for a short season.  We said YES to God, delivered all that he asked and one year later found ourselves on Interstate 75, headed north to Michigan, convinced that God would provide another “YES” in our lives.

All of the months of uncertainty allowed us to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ as we let go of our plans and sought His purpose.  The miles of traveling to small congregations on weekends gave us a new perspective on God’s love for His people.  Struggling in “Home Missions” for five years with little “success” in man’s eyes, taught us that, “there are no throwaway’s,” every soul is precious and you may be in that individual’s life for just a moment in time along their spiritual journey.  All of the closed doors and God’s answers of “NO,” fine tuned our hearing so that when God said “YES,” the answer was unmistakable.    

God has confirmed His “Yes” to us over the last month in unbelievable ways.  I am so thankful for all the times God said NO so He could say YES!!!  This experience has taught me that accepting, with grace, the times that God says NO makes the time He says YES so much sweeter.

GET YOUR FINGER OFF THE SNOOZE BUTTON

You know, those times after a long day of toil, you find the sweet spot on the mattress, get your pillow just right and settle in for a well deserved rest. It seems you have just closed your eyes, when the alarm sounds.  You hit the “snooze button” and drift off for a few more minutes, not really sleeping, just slumbering.  Eventually the alarm will sound again and no matter how many times you hit “snooze,” the clock’s relentless buzz at precise intervals will cause you to vacate the comfort of a mattress, pillows, and blankets, to face the day that lies ahead.

The American Christian Church has been hitting the “snooze button,” living in peace and restful ease for too long. It seems we have found the “sweet spot” and are just content to co-exist with the many philosophies of the world.  We don’t want to be controversial by taking a vocal or public stand; after all, “God knows our heart.” 

Like the parable of the “Ten Virgins,” in the final hours before the bridegroom appears, we have settled down into slumber; resting from our days of pursuing vital interests, goals and dreams.  Remember, all ten of the Virgins believed in the Bridegroom but when the call came, five awoke to find that they had allowed their lamps to burn out and the oil was gone.  Although the other five slumbered also, they had made sure that their lamps were full of precious oil. 

There are so many believers that have grown weary waiting for the Bridegroom, content with the traditions and rituals of religion. “Having a form of Godliness” has lulled them into slumber, successfully masking the slowly dying flame of their lamps, burning up their last drop of oil.  Although there is still time to fill up their lamps before the Bridegroom appears, their eyes grow heavy and like the “foolish virgins,” they continue to hit the “snooze button,” oblivious to the lateness of the hour.

Don’t forget, the parable also told us about the Five Wise Virgins. I believe there are many of us that are at ease and maybe even a little sleepy but we are still actively engaged enough to make sure the oil remains in our lamp.  We long to be in the presence of the Bridegroom.  We have never forgotten or lost our grip on His promise, John 14:3-4 I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Every tick of the clock brings the Midnight Hour just a little closer.  The “wake-up” call is sounding; STOP hitting the “snooze button.”  It is time to “Rise and Shine,” and trim our lamps; “BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMES!!”