PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Text: Mark 12:1-12

What are the privileges here? 

"A certain man planted a vineyard and set an hedge about it and digged a place for the winefat and a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a far country".

The husbandmen were at a privilege to use a property they haven't built or purchased with their own resources. A certain man built and put them in charge, of course for a fee. He expected returns. He wanted wine in the winefats. But alas, when the time came for the owner of the vineyard to receive returns, the husbandmen had hatched a wicked plan against him. For all his good deeds they were ready and determined to pay him back with evil.

These husbandmen are like contractors. They ahve been supplied with everything they need to execute a project and even make a profit for themselves but then they are not satisfied, they would rather pocket their profit and also the capital. This was the scenario greeting God over his own house and vineyard, Israel. He did everything to establish them as a comfortable nation by rescuing them from slavery and all. Yet, when he required accountability from them through his prophets and other messengers, all he received was betrayal. Ultimately, He sent his own beloved son but the traitors dealt even worse with him. 

God has given us so many privileges. The gift of life, good health, jobs, good personality, influence, wealth, riches, talents etc. These and more are gifts we got from him. For which he requires our accountability. It is wickedness to make the giver of these gifts look foolish when he demands a little responsibility from us.  God has given us the liberty to make choices, yet for every choice we make we are answerable to him whether we like it or not. 

Prayer: Father, for grace to know that my life and all you have blessed me with is a gift and that you expect me to use them for your service alone in Jesus name. Amen.