“Whoever has, to him shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him” (Matthew 13:12; Jesus speaking).
“For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Matthew 25:29; Jesus speaking).
“Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Mark 4:25; Jesus speaking).
“Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him” (Luke 8:18; Jesus speaking).
“[The master] replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away’” (Luke 19:26; Jesus speaking).
Five different passages, with Jesus speaking in each one. Let’s take these one at a time and delve into them, shall we? The first, Matthew 13:12, follows Jesus’ teaching known as “The Parable of the Sower.” In it, seeds are scattered, some being eaten by birds; some falling among thorns; some falling on stony ground; some sprouting, but having shallow roots; and finally some falling “on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:8).
After Jesus’ Matthew 13:12 statement, He explains the parable, concluding: “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:25).
Clearly this parable isn’t about money – it’s about growing the Kingdom. The God-seeker, the faithful servant of God takes the Word of God into his heart; receives it and believes it; and then lives it out, sowing the Word as he goes through his daily life. And his faithful witness produces more witnesses, more believers.
It is impossible not to influence other people for the Kingdom of God – you’re simply either a positive or negative influence. Which are YOU?
We’ve yet to look at our “starter” verse, Matthew 13:12. More on that tomorrow.
“The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless.” (Billy Graham)
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