" To whom much is given, much is expected"

Hi Louievill, Had me thinking in several directions actually, and I do like this as primarily I see it as To Whom much has, much should be given. Where as the poor does not expect much they certainly much appreciate. lol It certainly would be such a better economical world if at least a little as the idiom "much" suggests, would be shared. Sharing does come in forms of not only money but food, jobs, assistance to the needy.

I think this quote is more about the spiritual side of human being than the money. It refers to the virtues or qualities that one can have and should develop more in favor of the neighbor.

I've always thought this quote inspired the famous Spiderman philosophy, "With great power comes great responsibility." And it's funny to me that you say often people relate it to money, because I've taken it to mean everything you're ever given. If you're given talent, then you should use it to help, love, and inspire people. If you're given children, then you should raise them to hold a high moral standard and love them unconditionally. And if you're given money and power then you should use both to help people. And I think everyone, regardless of how much or how little they've been given, should consider what they have a blessing that they need to use right. It's easy to look down on huge corporations, rich people, and rich countries and say, "They've been given so much and are so greedy with it!" as if we're the moral police. But we shouldn't hold others to a standard that we don't uphold ourselves.

Yes, there have been many variations of this quote over the years. One that comes to mind is an older English quote which used to be used here, mostly by the wealthier classes - "with privilege comes responsibility". This is even more profound for us, as it implies that what you have is not even yours - you haven't earned it, but you have been given stewardship over it. It also implies that you "must" use this responsibly & that this is automatic, not an option, as the original quote seems to imply - to me anyway. This is a very good one & it's applications are wide as well as diverse. It applies to how we treat ourselves, our planet, people & animals around us, etc, etc & not just material possessions or money. We really have been given stewardship over so much! This is a biblical quote & there are also many others that relate to giving. I should know them as I've had whole courses in them. You have mentioned another one which Jesus exemplified in giving with the right hand without the left hand knowing. There are many others too, even going back to tithing in Old Testament times, but I don't want to turn this into a religious discourse! You mentioned about the so-called rich countries, like the USA & how other poorer nations expect to be given handouts in a continuous stream from those who they perceive are better off. The USA might appear wealthy, at least in an historical sense, but fewer & fewer Americans have jobs now! American citizens are fast becoming less & less able to support themselves & their country. I don't think this is a result of giving & probably has little to do with this at all. I'm not very good at understanding American politics, so I won't pretend to have the solution. Sometimes, other principles should also come into play, particularly in situations such as these. I can't recall the original saying, which sounds strange in our modern language, but the principle runs along the lines of "give a man a fish & you give him enough for one meal(?!?), but teach him how to fish & you give him a way to make enough for every meal & an income besides for the rest of his life". This, perhaps is what we should focus on more - giving people what they really need instead of just what they want. I know the US does this & does it well, but it needs to be a concerted effort from everyone in every country who is able, regardless of how willing they are! Just "my take".

I also really like this quote. I guess it is similar as well to the quote 'with great power, comes great responsibility.' What it means I guess is that people who are in a position to help others and to make a difference in the world have a responsibility to do that - they got to where they are with the help of others, so its only right that they give back what they can and hopefully help others to make a success of themselves as well!

MUCH is given to those who are in need. Simply as this. Give it to poor people for they are the members of the society that really in need of help, a really BIG HELP. MUCH is expected when you have shared your blessings to others and that MUCH is a word you'll receive from people you have offered your service and you have shared your talents. This is a word "THANK YOU", a simple word that will let you feel fulfilled and happy. MUCH is expected from GOD. He would give you the savings(good works) that you have deposited(works done while on earth) while you are still on earth and that is YOU CAN ENTER HIS KINGDOM. WHEN YOU HAVE GIVEN MUCH ON WHAT YOU HAVE. THEN EXPECT THAT YOU WILL HAVE MUCH IN RETURN.......

hi louievill wow you just answred your own discussion in a way. I agree it can be money if you were fortunate enough to make a lot you should share with others. If its talent perhaps you could share your talent by giving lessons to others or showing others how to follow in your footsteps. I think my own country the USA has indeed helped less fortunate countries all the time but right now she should be trying to save hundreds here who are out of work and need jobs before they lose all that they have worked so hard for. charity now should be started at home. we are in danger of losing any no one spot in the world if we cannot help our own people here and now. I had hoped Obama would live up to his promises but he seems to be having a hard time doing it, and our whole country is all up set,democrats screaming at republicans and Republicans screaming back and to me its so stupid. look we are all Americans should not we be getting along so we can help our country? so maybe we are falling down on this to whom much is given , much is expected as we as Americans should forget the quarreling and start working together to put o rselves back to work.

Most of the so-called rich in the US give plenty of money, as do most of the corporations. Even small companies give. I've worked at many companies that are harassed by charities begging for donations. You cannot possible give to them all. Anyway, yes, most of the haves already do give. They just don't brag about it. I know one Christian best selling author (and pastor), for instance who, once he and his wife realized what a hit his first book was completely changed their giving method. They started out their married life giving the 10% tithe. As their blessings increased, they gave more. By the time the book came out and was so successful, they started living on 10% of their income and giving away 90%. He also gave back every penny he had received from the church as salary for being the pastor. But this is not something that everyone knows, and this is a man who is regularly bashed. Another well known Christian does the same thing - gives 90% of his income and lives on 10%. And, again, this is also someone the media regularly bashes. I think that each one of us - no matter how much or how little we have - have to be givers ourselves. The Bible does praise the "widow's mite" after all.

I like this quote as it talks about the responsibillity of the rich and the powerful.This is a major part of my political beliefs which is one nation conservatism as created by Benjamin Disraeli.I believe those with wealth should have an oblugation to those less fortunatesuch as conntributing to things like health through taxation and they should pay there employees decent wages as they are the basis of their wealth.I am not however into total wealth redistribution as do the far left,this is because i think it is counter intuative as it will reduce income as it will reduce peoples entrepenurial spirit and the economy will stagnate like it did under communism.