Toys into Tools - Crosswalk the Devotional - September 6

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Toys into Tools by Shawn McEvoy From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.[Luke 12:48]( With the start of football season this month, I've heard the phrase, "to whom much is given, much is required" used a lot... and that's a good thing. A great thing. Athletes, profiled on sports shows, have been given chances to explain how they are using their celebrity and money to help mankind, or even spread the gospel. One prominent football player was interviewed about wanting to use what he's been given as a platform to further the Kingdom of God. His goals were reminiscent of the parable Jesus told about the difference between faithful and unfaithful servants, stewards of the kingdom. Faithful servants are to be about their master's will, not doing their own thing, not squandering what they've been given. They realize how much they've been granted, and understand there are punishments awaiting those who knowingly disobey (and even for those - albeit less severely - who unknowingly disobey. Seem harsh?). I enjoy verses like our main verse today, where a concept is repeated synonymously for effect. The [Bible]( wisdom literature is ripe with this structure, and Jesus makes use of it here. The phrase "Everyone who has been given much" is echoed by "the one who has been entrusted with much," and "much will be demanded" becomes synonymous with "much more will be asked." It drives the point home. We often hear the first part of this verse quoted, and it works fine by itself: "To whom much is given, much is required." That concept even works well in the secular world, so much so that non-Christians quote it, perhaps without even knowing it's biblical in origin, and superhero movies use it as a thematic element. But this week, after seeing and reading those profiles of Christian athletes, I re-read the verse in its entirety, and it opened up a new level of meaning for me. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [10 Signs You’re a Titus 2 Woman]( John Barnett You've likely heard about what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman. But what does it look like to live as a Titus 2 woman? [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [7 Prayers to Create Calm in the Midst of Stress]( Jessica Van Roekel When stress comes banging at our heart’s door. And when it inevitably does, here are 7 prayers for calm... [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2020 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](