By Demetrius Moffett

There are those of us who have heard or said the phase “To whom much is given, much is required.”

A very powerful statement recited by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

We believe it to be true because Jesus said it. However, when it comes to applying and embracing this to our lives we begin to fall a little short.

What is much? Much is relative. It is different amounts to different people.

The same can be said for required. Although much and required are relative, the statement is still relevant.

So again, why do we fall a little short? I believe the mind set of entitlement has infiltrated our thought process to look to receive more without having to earn more.

Let me say it another way. We have become condition to “accept” in regards to receiving and condition to “except” in regards to requiring.

Accept means “to receive something offered willingly.”

Except means “to exclude, take or leave out.”

We are willing to receive especially if it satisfies a particular desire but not so much when we have to carry the weight of responsibility.

We want to drive but don’t want to buy gas, get it serviced or pay the note.

We want a big house but can’t handle the utilities, insurance or even keep it clean.

We are willing to accept these nice things but want to except the responsibility of managing them.

Children are the best example of this. They want and enjoy the acceptance of the “privileges” we give them, but want invoke the exception of what’s required to maintain receiving these privileges.

If we truly want to have much we must accept both receiving and requirement. You can’t have one without the other and hold on to the much that is being offered.

In accepting much, we may have to implement exception.

Requirement may cause us to have to place exception, exclusion to some habits, activities, lifestyle and people.

Remember we are not placing except on required, required is placing except when we accept.

Accept comes with a price. It cost to accept.

When we accept without the expectation of paying we can confuse accept with except.

Except is the currency that accept uses to be able to function at an exceptional level.

To whom much is given, much is required.

Accept, except, please don’t get’em twisted.