"47That servant who knows his masters' will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. 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."
How do you define responsibility?
Dictionary's definition: involves personal accountability or ability to act without guidance or superior authority (ie able to make rational decisions without supervision)
"With great power, comes great responsibility."
- Peter Parker, Spiderman
What punishment do you think a person who falls asleep or forgot to do a job should receive?
The same applies with God. You know you are supposed to pray, do quiet time, fulfil your CG roster, read bible etc, but sometimes it does not get done.
Why is there a difference in the severity of the punishment between the 2 servants?
The first one receives heavier punishment because of his slack attitude (ie signs of rebellion), while the second one gets off with a slap on the wrist, so that he learns from his mistake.
Would the master sack the first servant? Probably not, because of grace.
Consider now your life, the responsibilities you have. Everyone should be responsible for 4 things:
1. Responsible for forgetting what is left behind, and pressing on towards the prize.
- You can't change the past, but you don't have to let the past rule the present. You can make a difference for the future.
- Sometimes we put the blame on various things (eg the way we were brought up in conservative cultures or dysfunctional families, guilt and past offences etc) but we should not use the past as a hindrance.
- Everything changes when you are changed in Christ (some people fail to understand that everything has been covered on the cross - ie redemption)
- Have we learnt to forgive ourselves and overcome past failures? If not, we suffer the consequences.
2. Responsible for today (Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.)
We need to do the best we can, realising that the choice we make today will influence what happens tomorrow.
eg There was a case of a church leader who admitted that the biggest mistake she made was marrying a non-Christian. They have been married for 20 years, and she is very active and passionate in church ministry, but why live a half-filled life and subject yourself to burnout, rather than have someone share and support what you do? Now her son wanted to move in with his girfriend ("It's a normal thing to do today. I want to take care of her." he said.) As a parent, how are you going to effectively teach your child about what is wrong, if you don't have the support of your partner?
3. Responsible for yourself (ie actions, words)
eg You know you have to study. You did not. You fail exams. (Action = consequence)
Each person is responsible for his own actions. Even if you have a poor shepherd / supervisor, it's your own responsibility to rely on God (ie do quiet time, read bible etc).
When you learn to recognise your own responsibility, there is no need for people to bug you.
(that is why the 2nd servant also gets punished although he pleaded ignorance)
Luke 6:45 - The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the good stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Importance of keeping hands clean, thoughts pure and guarding our hearts.
Psalm 24:4 - He who has clean hands and a pure heart who does not lift up his soul to an idol.
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
4. Responsible for what you fail in or refuse to do
James 4:17 - Anyone,then, who knows the good he oughts to do, but does not do it, sins.
John 12:48 - There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
We are even responsible even when we know what we lack, but we let it carry on.
Eg. You know that you need to get things done. You know you have a poor memory and you might forget about it. You are lazy and did not take the effort to make things right / improve your memory (eg reminders in your handphone, mini notes on the fridge etc). Pleading ignorance does not help. In fact, this is worse than ignorance (can be classified as neglect and rebellion).
A lot of things will come along to make us compromise on our commitment to God. Although the world says it's ok, it's NOT. Imagine the analoogy of a fruit cake. A person notices that the sides are a bit unequal and decides to cut a bit of the unequal side off. Then he notices that the other side is uneven and does the same. Eventually the cake becomes so small that he decides to just consume the whole thing itself. The same applies to lying, when you get immune to it after a while.
Conclusion
I have been born to privilege, and with that comes specific obligations.
- Quote from 'Ever After'
Great gifts mean great responsibilites. Greater gifts mean even greater responsibilites. As one grows, more will be demanded.
Ultimately, all choices in life has its consequences.
There is a great commission to fulfil. There are no more excuses. When the day comes, we will all be held accountable.
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