Having been given much

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many beatings, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a beating, will receive but a few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Luke 12:42-48

Introduction

One of the most common questions that comes up when discussing the gospel is, “What about the people who have never heard the gospel?” Often extreme examples are given: remote tribesmen in the depths of South America, nomadic peoples in the heart of Africa, or the mountain dwelling people of the Himalayas. But this question could certainly be portioned out in further degrees. What about the people in Muslim-majority countries who have heard the Name of Jesus, but only in false testimony? Or what about the people in post-Christian parts of Europe and America who know some vague bible stories, but do not actually know the gospel?

There is an answer for these, and as harsh as it may sound, Romans 1:18-23 tells us no one is left with an excuse for turning away from God, no matter how much special revelation he receives (special revelation being what we know from scripture, as opposed to what we know from nature). This often evokes a negative response, as people feel it is unfair that someone would face eternal punishment when that person does not even know the gospel.

What you say in your heart

The standard, however, is not whether someone knows and accepts the gospel. Because the gospel is the free gift of God to all those who would believe. The difference is a matter of obligation. All of creation is obligated to honor the creator. Because mankind does not honor the creator, we are condemned to die in our sin. That is the very problem the gospel aims to solve.

All people are given enough natural revelation to honor God, and yet because of the bent of our hearts we do not. That is the state of the slave in this parable who did not know his master’s will, but committed acts worthy of a beating. They will still be made to answer for their rejection of their creator, but will not be held to the same account as one who knows the entirety of the gospel and yet rejects it.

You are given much

So, then, is it better to live in ignorance? Is it better not to know the full revelation from God about the gospel and minimize your responsibility? By no means! That slave in the parable, remember, still receives his beating. It is far better to receive the gospel with joy and be forgiven of your transgressions, having your debt paid in full on the cross (Colossians 2:14). So thank God for the abundant wealth He has given you, and let that pour out into the lives of others. Be the good slave who does his master’s will, because as you are given much, much is expected. And as you prove yourself faithful with a little, so you will be given all the more in the life to come.

May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.