’With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility’ and Other Lessons From Spider Man

“Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.”  So goes Peter Parker’s doting uncle, Ben Parker in the first of the “Spider Man” movie series. While those words did not mean so much to him at that time, he realized its essence when he let a chased burglar pass by him and the chasing officer blamed Peter for it. He later found out that the same burglar killed his Uncle Ben. His social irresponsibility took away the life of his own uncle!

With great remorse, Peter Parker decided to use from then on, his power to protect other people from harm. He became Spider Man, one of the greatest, most famous, most responsible fictional heroes of all times.

We have power too

We may not be as powerful as Spider Man. However, we have power in our control too. Likewise, with it comes responsibility.

If you are a parent, you have the power to decide for your family and children.

If you are a child, you have the power to decide which one to follow – good things that can make your parents proud of you, or bad things otherwise.

If you are a company owner, you have the power to utilize your resources to grow your organization

If you are a boss, you have the power whether or not to retain your subordinates.

As citizens, we have the power to contribute to the progress of our country and the power to elect our own public officials.

As Christians, we have the power to decide to be aligned with God’s ways so we can enjoy His blessings today and tomorrow.

Power is the ability to do things. With great power comes great responsibility.

If you are wealthier, you can help more people than a not-so-wealthy person can.

If you are more intelligent, you can teach a lot of things to more people than the average person can. With great talents, resources, gifts and blessings, God expects us to take great responsibility.

A musician friend once taught orphaned kids to play musical instruments in a location very far from his home. When I asked him how much was his pay, he said none really. It was his way of sharing to others what God has given him for free. Such power or gift he currently uses to earn a living in another way. And he is doing pretty well!

The Bible talks about taking responsibility with what is bestowed on us. We are accountable for our resources, abilities, skills, talents, knowledge and other things. He expects us to utilize His blessings not only for our good, but for the good of others most of all. He wants us to be faithful stewards over what He entrusts. By the time we go back to Him, He will ask us how well we manage these resources. (1 John 2:28)

A good speaker then fits to use this skill to preach and help disseminate godly information. Those who are in public office are expected to sincerely serve their constituents with their power…for God put them in that position, expecting them to be of service to their people and country. They should be great leaders of God. If they fail in their responsibility, they will not be elected again in the next elections.

In the end, it will always just be between you and God. Nothing and nobody else!

Matthew 13:12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

For those who do not know, and then do something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, he has much power and much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. (Luke 12:35-48)

Watch out! When our God-given resources are not utilized well, there is a danger that they might be taken away from us. Take responsibility. God means it!

Wherever and whoever we are, we should take responsibility. Prove to our Creator that His blessings do not become wastage in our hands.

‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ This is my gift, my curse. Who am I?  I'm Spider Man.”
 

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  1. JohnMorris said:

    Great post but one inaccuracy . Despite what Marvel and the movies would have us believe, this epic and powerful quote does not come from a Hollywood script writing team but from the revolutionary ridden and passionate literary haven that was 19th century France. Credit has been given to Stan Lee writer of spider man, Franklin D Rosevelt and even Winston churchil at various stages, however the first literary record of this can be attributed to Francois-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire. Much like Victor Hugo, Voltaire was disturbed by the sickening abuse of authority and privilege by those in power whilst the poor and deprived starved and suffered around him. Much of Voltaire’s work reflects on this theme, however it was in “Å’uvres de Voltaire, Volume 48” that we first hear the direct use of this phrase. If you can remember the name of this book during said argument in friday night pub ramble then you have definitely earned your pint. Of course in Spiderman’s case it was just as apt as when first directed at those who Voltaire believed to be wicked, corrupt and everything that was rotten in France at the time.

    April 18, 2011
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