A Higher Expectation

“Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48b CSB)

Does God have expectations of us? Does He have the same expectations of all of us? The answer is: yes, and no – respectively.

We have a tendency to view Jesus metaphorically. Many prefer an image of Jesus as the caring Shepherd. He certainly is that, but no one image is totally description of Jesus. He is also an expectant Master and a Judge. As our Master, He does have expectations of all of us, but not the same expectations of us all.

In the parable of the talents, the master had expectations of all three stewards, but his expectations were based on what was entrusted to them. The more that is entrusted to someone, the greater the expectations. The Lord’s expectations of us are not based on what we cannot do or on what we do not have, but on what we have the opportunity and ability to do.

If the Lord entrusts more money to you than He does to others, His expectations of you with regard to money are higher than they are toward others who have been entrusted with less, though He expects obedience from both. If the Lord entrusts more ability or talent to you than He has to others, then His expectations of you with regard to the use of that ability or talent is higher than they are toward others, though, again, He expects obedience from both. If He entrusts more available time to you than He does to others, His expectations of your use of that time are also greater.

Just as a parent has higher expectations of a 10-year old than a 2-year old but expects obedience from both, so the Lord bases His expectations of us on what He has entrusted to us, though He expects obedience from all.

Lord, May each of us demonstrate complete obedience to You today in everything You have asked us to do, and help us to use our time, talents, and money to the fullest extent possible to glorify You. Amen.