WHAT IS REQUIRED?

I love reading scriptures in different versions it gives a different perspective, To whom much is given much is required (NKJV); but the one who does not KNOW and does things deserving ll punishment be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (NIV)Luke 12:48. Did you notice how the word changed from given to entrusted? The requirements are not the same from person to person, some of what is expected of us depend on what we have been given or been entrusted with.

The oxford dictionary's definition of entrusting is to charge, assign or hand over. To assign the responsibility for doing something to someone. What has been assigned to you?

As a kid there are not many things assigned to you, usually, a child may be responsible for a sibling, a pet and keeping their rooms clean. That seems kinda easy but as a child that can seem like such a major task but more is added as you mature. As an adolescent more is required like having to do laundry, the dishes, and clean the house in addition to the things you were already doing as a kid. This all does not include doing homework and reports. This teaches children to be responsible and to manage their time and schedules. As a young adult is submerged into the world of university, work, career and even more responsibilities there is even more than has been handed to them. As an adult with a spouse, home and kids the demand is greater but imagine in addition to this being a teacher, pastor, manager, CEO, CFO etc. The responsibility is not only for your personal life but the affairs of others.

Have you heard the story of the ten virgins? It is found in Matthew 25:1-13 the bible says 5 were wise and 5 were foolish. These 10 virgins went to meet the bridegroom but 5 went with no oil for their lamps and the other 5 took their lamps and brought oil. These virgins while waiting fell asleep when they woke up the 5 foolish virgins realized they did not have enough and asked the wise virgins but they knew it would not be enough to share. They left to buy more but while they were gone bridegroom came and shut the door. When the 5 foolish virgins returned they were not allowed in. This is heartbreaking if you are a person that does not plan and count the cost.

Realistically this looks like someone that always has to borrow money, is late in turning in assignments, late to pick up the kids, that may be the person running around every morning like a chicken without its head in the mornings to go to work. This person is just getting by in life, at work and within friendships not taking responsibility. If this is you it is not too late. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"

If you wanted to build a building, you would first sit down and decide how much it would cost. You must see if you have enough money to finish the job. Luke 14:28 ERV

The foolish virgins did not consider the possibilities. Sometimes the foolish virgins in our lives are the ones that do not plan and make us feel guilty about not aiding their inability to plan and prepare. The wise virgins said NO they were not going to miss the bridegroom because their counterparts did not plan. The story is simply a metaphor to remind us to stay focused on the assignments we have been given and to count the cost because there is an expectation.

As a young mother, I did not count the cost of motherhood. Mothering came with much sacrifice, planning, time, money and so much more. Not until I had submitted my life to Christ did I get the revelation that she was loaned to me or entrusted to me for raising until the time she is able to fulfill her own assignment. Imagine Mary Jesus' mom saying I am not able to release my son into ministry or pushing Jesus to get married and have kids when we have a greater assignment than what we sometimes culturally think is important. Jesus his mom and his friends went to a wedding but during the wedding, they ran out of wine. Mary went to Jesus to let him know, but Jesus said "Dear woman, why are you telling me this? It is not yet time for me to begin work. " Although Jesus responded in this way Mary said to the servants "do what Jesus tells you." This is a mother that understood the assignment. Luke 2 it tells the story of how Mary and Joseph received this word but in verse 41 Jesus had already become a boy and his parents could not find him. They had already travelled a day's journey and realized 'Jesus was Home Alone' lol. After three days they found Jesus in the temple with teachers and other religious people learning and asking questions this boy was learning but he was 12 and not responsible for himself at the time. Jesus' response to his parent's frustration was "Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father's work is." Even Jesus' parents did not understand what he meant. Do you understand or know your assignment? If you are a parent what is the instruction that concerns your kids? As a student what is your major? On a job what is your job role and assignments?

Without knowing what is required we may be out of alignment and not fulfilling our assignments. As we are growing and maturing in Christ we should learn to ask the Holy Spirit for clarity on what is required of us as children of God. It is said in the word that we should go into ALL the world and share the word of God, to love others as you do yourself but the hard part about it is we find it hard to share God's word to the people in our workplace and cubicle and for many they do not love themselves.

First understanding love will allow us to better count the cost and fulfill assignments. the wise virgins loved themselves. In loving themselves first they were able to see the bridegroom but if they had not or did not understand what loving themselves looked like would have given the foolish virgins some of their oil and neither of them would have had enough to go into the bridegroom. The oil can be your capacity to share, fuel, and food it is the thing that you have and another person does not. Is it enough to share with someone else? If it is not then loving yourself allows you to say no and direct the person to where they can get what they need.

Secondly, understanding love and counting the cost allows you to understand another person's assignment and how you are to assist in what has been given to them to do. Like Mary allowing herself to be the vessel that Jesus came to earth, to parent a child that was beyond her in knowledge. To love him regardless of her insecurities. Mary knew at twelve Jesus was not ready to start a ministry there was more that he need to learn, possibly more growth but in his thirties, she knew it was time. She was able to say to the servants do as he says knowing he would know how to get more wine. She knew He would be able to make things happen.

In closing, we have all been entrusted with gifts, strengths or talents whether we like it or not. In the story of talent in Matthew 25:14, this guy was leaving for a trip and told his staff to take care of his things he divided them among each staff member and it was up to each of them to do as they wish with what they had been given. One got a five, the other two and last received one. It was some time before their boss came back but the two that had more invested what they had and doubled what they initially received but the one who was given one returned the one that he was given with an attitude. Many times we can be very similar to the latter when we feel as if God has done some injustice by not giving us a talent that we prefer or want. Like the ability to sing, play ball or maybe be born into a family of wealth and talents that has corresponded with finances; BUT to whom much is given much is required. If you have been given a talent it is up to you to invest in that talent, practice, develop the talent and take it to the masses. If it is in education and career you may need to take a course and go to university. We have all been given something to use, to develop and help others but it is up to us how and who we invest it in.