"For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him."
Luke 19:26
This verse is near the end of the parable of the pounds (the whole parable can be found in Luke 19). Out of context it seems very hard to understand. Why would God give more to people that already have, and take away from people who don't? If we think about it spiritually rather than physically though, it makes a lot more sense. God already blesses people with the spirit with more light and more knowledge, and people who reject the spirit... they get less and less until they know nothing at all of the Spirit. In that context, it makes sense. People who welcome God into their lives are going to accept the blessings he offers, and be able to build on them to get more. People who reject God and what he offers aren't going to be able to even keep the spiritual blessings that they once might have enjoyed. Our spirituality is growing or shrinking... it can't just sit.
I think that the principle probably applies to a lot of things... talents or pounds, spiritual and physical. We have to do something with what God gives us. Our testimonies, our scriptures, our callings, our families, our friends, our muscles, our jobs... and so much more. They aren't given to us to just sit there. God gives us things so that we can learn. And if we don't jump in and learn something, then maybe that opportunity or blessing will go away. But if we do jump in and learn that lesson, then we'll get a follow-up lesson, and will learn more and more. The important part is that we impact it... we make the choices whether to accept more or less by what we do with what we currently have. Can we handle it? Are we making good choices? If so, maybe God will see if we can learn to handle more. If not, we might need a little less... a more remedial lesson, until we grasp the concept.
Today, let's not take what we have for granted. Let's use it to help people, and increase our abilities, our knowledge, and our strength, so that we can do more.
Luke 19:26
This verse is near the end of the parable of the pounds (the whole parable can be found in Luke 19). Out of context it seems very hard to understand. Why would God give more to people that already have, and take away from people who don't? If we think about it spiritually rather than physically though, it makes a lot more sense. God already blesses people with the spirit with more light and more knowledge, and people who reject the spirit... they get less and less until they know nothing at all of the Spirit. In that context, it makes sense. People who welcome God into their lives are going to accept the blessings he offers, and be able to build on them to get more. People who reject God and what he offers aren't going to be able to even keep the spiritual blessings that they once might have enjoyed. Our spirituality is growing or shrinking... it can't just sit.
I think that the principle probably applies to a lot of things... talents or pounds, spiritual and physical. We have to do something with what God gives us. Our testimonies, our scriptures, our callings, our families, our friends, our muscles, our jobs... and so much more. They aren't given to us to just sit there. God gives us things so that we can learn. And if we don't jump in and learn something, then maybe that opportunity or blessing will go away. But if we do jump in and learn that lesson, then we'll get a follow-up lesson, and will learn more and more. The important part is that we impact it... we make the choices whether to accept more or less by what we do with what we currently have. Can we handle it? Are we making good choices? If so, maybe God will see if we can learn to handle more. If not, we might need a little less... a more remedial lesson, until we grasp the concept.
Today, let's not take what we have for granted. Let's use it to help people, and increase our abilities, our knowledge, and our strength, so that we can do more.
Thank you for making the meaning of this verse clear to me and blessing me today. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat about the next verse, Luke 19:27..."But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them- bring them here and kill them in front of me."? That seems pretty vile.
ReplyDeleteIt's the end of the parable of the pounds, and since the parable is about life, and what we do with the gifts that God gives us, it probably represents the separation of the wicked and the righteous in the last days. It might seem "vile" in the sense of a literal story, but I think in a symbolic sense the parable is basically just teaching what we learn elsewhere in the scriptures... that the end of everyone will be a reward for what we've accomplished, who we've been, and how we have learned to love others. If we spit on the gifts God gives us, and reject the opportunities we have in life to improve, then we'll still get God's gift of eternal life, but we won't get the spiritual gifts that we were offered, because we chose to reject them... including not being able to live in the same place God is, which is spiritual death, thus the symbolism.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of symbolism for "bring them here and kill them in front of me." Maybe he just wanted them brought in front of him to be killed.
ReplyDeleteLuke 19:27 reads "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."
ReplyDeleteI was talking about the symbolism that runs throughout the entire parable. That verse is part of a story, teaching a lesson, not something that literally happened. But of course, you are welcome to your own interpretation.
Your interpretation has given me more depth in this parable and thus, i now know that i have to use the gifts of God in my life very well in the life of others to help build God's kingdom and by so doing he will give me more. Thank you, Suzan.
ReplyDeleteThanks sister for your valuable revelation of Luke 19:26-27
DeleteAlmighty God bless you with His wisdom and fill you with His Holy Spirit.
wow!! I love revelations thank you holy spirit! it is also like he is the salvation and that is just the beginning to the riches he has for us but those who refuse lose even there life after death
ReplyDeletePraying for Holy Spirit anointing to writers like you.
ReplyDelete