TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED

1. “And that servant who knew his master’s will and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
2. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. 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.”
   Luke 12:47-48 (NKJV)

• The closer you are to God the higher the standards He sets for you.

• God expects more from whoever desires to walk intimately with Him.
  “Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
  2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)
• If you are far away from God, you are not all that committed in your relationship with Him, He may condone some of your shortcomings.
• However, when you make a commitment to follow Him closely, walk intimately with Him; you want Him to be your companion and Senior Partner, then the relationship will change (Luke 12:48).

• At this point God would demand from you:

• More time of fellowship together with Him (1 John 1:3).
• More time of studying and meditation in His Word (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3)
• More time of prayer and fasting (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

1. “in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, IN FASTINGS OFTEN, in cold and nakedness–
2. besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”
   2 Corinthians 11:27,28 (NKJV)

• He will test your affection, your love for Him and your loyalty (James 1:2,3; 1 Peter 1:6; Romans 5:3-5).

• Why all these?

• God is a jealous God, He would want you to prove the love you have for Him (Genesis 22:1-3,12; Exodus 20:5; 34:14).
• God could make a demand that would cost you the relationship with your loved ones and the things you love.
• He may give you an assignment that would not give you enough time for your loved ones or things you admire.
• He may separate you from your parents and relations, that is, send you on mission to a foreign land.

1. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
2. For I have come to ‘set a man against [alienate a man from] his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’.
3. and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
4. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
5. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
6. “He who finds his life will lose it, and HE WHO LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT.”
   Matthew 10:34-39 (NKJV)

• If you pass God’s test of loyalty and faithfulness:

• His Presence will continually be with you (Exodus 33:14).
• You will have His backing, help, or support, in all your endeavours (Hebrews 4:16).
• His anointing, grace, will rest on your life (Isaiah 10:27; 1 John 2:27).
• He will answer you when you call on Him, and when you make a demand in His name He will cause your words to stand—your words will not fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19; John 14:14).
• He will reveal His ways to you, you become His confidant.
  “He made known His ways to Moses, his acts to the children of Israel.”
  Psalm 103:7 (NKJV)

• God reveals the hidden things of the kingdom, His ways, to those who pay the price to walk intimately with Him; and He reveals His Acts, doings, or miracles, to those following at a distance, those who are not intimately committed to Him.

• Remember, the higher the test the greater the rewards—honours and blessings.
• In most cases, the honour and blessing may not be material things per se; however, the honour and blessing bestowed on you as a reward will produce material things.
• One of the honours is that when you speak your words will not fail (Isaiah 44:26).

1. “So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground [Fail].”
   1 Samuel 3:19 (NKJV)

• A number of people may not perceive or recognize the grace, the anointing, on your life at the onset.

• For the reason that material blessings are not there, some would likely despise the grace, the anointing, that God has bestowed on you.
• However, in no time it would be known by all.
• Few people who are discerning may see it or know it before the time of showing or manifestation.
  “So, the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”
  Luke 1:80 (NKJV)

• Admonition

• Strive to pay any price demanded by God and walk in the standards He sets for you, that you may move to the class of those who walk intimately with Him.
• The grace to pay the price He demanded is available for you if you made up your mind to do it.
• God will not demand from you what He has not given you the grace or enablement to accomplish.
• Remember, the price is not more than the grace—the grace is always sufficient to pay the price.
• The higher the price the greater the rewards—honours and blessings.

• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!