Armed and Aimed

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:48 NLT)

I used to think this verse meant: If you’ve been blessed abundantly—then share.

Yet lately, I’ve had to rethink my earlier interpretation as I read the following verses:

“Is not this the God who armed me, then aimed me in the right direction? …He shows me how to fight;” (Ps. 18:32, 34 MSG)

What if we were to think of whatever we have been given—not as gifts, but as weapons and training--which have been specifically assigned to us for a purpose?

The U.S military equips each soldier differently according to their aptitude, training, and the military’s specific needs. A soldier might be trained to operate drones, tanks, or fighter-jets. Others might be chosen to be snipers, medics, or computer technicians. Some soldiers have access to more powerful weapons than others. However, they are not allowed to share or use their weapons indiscriminately. Those who are entrusted with powerful weapons and tools are expected to shoulder that responsibility thoughtfully. A soldier who is trained to use a powerful gun should not just ‘share’ it with a fellow soldier who is not skilled in using this firearm—an untrained person is more liable to hurt himself or others with this weapon.

If you have been assigned powerful tools, then you have a responsibility to use them properly, according to directions from above. You are not supposed to share your weapons indiscriminately—whenever and wherever you feel like it. If you have been equipped with words, skills, wealth, knowledge, talents—then you are expected to use these tools sensibly, cautiously, and purposefully.