‘Of Those to Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required’: Is This What’s Missing in America?

Commentary

Just days before his inauguration as president, John F. Kennedy delivered his “city upon a hill” speech, which included a line taken from Luke 12:48: “For of those to whom much is given, much is required.” Since then, many other leaders have employed this precept to inspire others, sometimes softening that word “required” to “expected.”

The first half of this formula, “Of those to whom much is given,” suggests that progeny born to wealth and privilege are miles ahead of the rest of us in the marathon of life, but that interpretation is simplistic. Let’s consider some other circumstances in which it might apply.

The legal immigrants who travel to our shores from countries as diverse as Cuba and Nigeria are given the gifts of liberty and opportunity to make of themselves what they will. What is required in return—or expected, if you prefer—is Americanism. They should no longer consider themselves Cubans or Nigerians, or some hyphenated dual nationality. They are Americans.

America’s public school system annually offers students a free education. In return, students should be expected to treat that education with the honor and gratitude it deserves, attending school without disrupting classes while learning as much as possible.

The highly successful among us—the tech wizards, the athletes and film stars who earn the big bucks and the adoration of fans, and so many others—took advantage of opportunities that allowed them to hone their talents. Given much, much is expected from them in return. The quarterback who funds summer camps for inner-city kids and the software billionaire who mentors younger talent understand the equation.

The diligent auto mechanic, the hands-on office manager, the waitress hustling orders and drinks to customers: They and millions more people like them are returning what is required of them, a full return on the wages they’re paid. Likewise, good parents gifted with a baby understand what is expected of them: the care and feeding of that child from birth to adulthood, yes, but also guidance and the teaching of morals and values.

By now, readers can likely see where this equation leads us. All Americans have received at least two great gifts: the breath of life and the fortune of being born or adopted into a country that, despite our divisions and differences, is still the land of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Having been given so much, much is expected of each one of us. At the least, we are obliged to take seriously the obligations of citizenship; to work for the benefit of our families, communities, and country; and to remember and honor those countless Americans whose labor, sacrifice, and love made our country a home.

Of course, we’re also indebted to a swarm of other creditors: our parents, if they were worthy of the name; the teachers who inspired us; and the loved ones, friends, employers, and mentors who shaped us and our dreams. We owe these people for their contributions to our lives.

So how do we repay these debts?

First comes appreciation. This one can take a while. The gifts we received as adolescents, for example, from a parent or teacher, may take years to unwrap. We may not appreciate the sacrifices made on our behalf by Mom and Dad until we have children of our own. That teacher who inspired us to think for ourselves may be in his grave before his wisdom becomes fully apparent.

Along with these gifts, self-reliance and taking responsibility for our actions are expected in return. That self-control is essential not only for a good life but also for the health and longevity of a republic. A citizenry tied to the apron strings of government is more a nursery than a nation.

Finally, we are expected to pay forward the gifts we have received. If the gift is a good education, we are obliged to see that our young people receive the same. If the gift is freedom of speech, it’s up to us to preserve that freedom for future generations.

Unfortunately, in the 60-plus years since Kennedy’s speech, this aphorism of gifts and expectations has taken a beating here in America. Demands for rights are ubiquitous, but little is said about responsibility. Past generations created a civilization of wealth and a country never seen on the world’s stage, yet many people show little appreciation in return.

The liberties wrapped and ribboned by America’s founders for future generations have fallen prey to an octopodian government whose tentacles of regulation have invaded our very homes and whose outrageous spending has burdened future generations with trillions of dollars of debt.

During his inauguration, Kennedy famously urged, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Evidence suggests that millions of Americans ignore those words today, always on the lookout for what they can get from the government rather than what they can give to their country.

We see the same disregard for the “given-expected” equation in the workplace. Here’s just one example: Employers provide jobs, but one poll shows that in return, the average American spends more than three hours of the workday on his personal phone, scrolling, texting, and playing games.

Fortunately for our country, millions of other Americans are still working hard, raising families, overseeing their kids’ education, and contributing to their communities. By doing so, they are meeting the expectations and requirements of the ancient aphorism.

If you’re one of this band of unsung heroes, thank you.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.