Luke 8:18, 21 “Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

had never noticed before that these two verses were in such close proximity. Thinking about it, though, verse 21 is the explanation of verse 18. The idea that “those who have will be given more” has caused a lot of resentment in various people over the centuries, and it certainly runs counter to the socialist idea of “spread the wealth around.” However, not just here but in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and elsewhere, Jesus is very clear that what we are given is to be put to work. That doesn’t just apply to material resources, it also applies to knowledge of God and His kingdom. It does no real good simply to know the facts about God if we aren’t appropriating those in our daily lives. If we are appropriating and applying them, then Jesus says we are His family! That’s why we have to be careful how we listen. If we are just gathering information, it will do us no real good and we will lose what we think we have. If we are seeking to apply each thing we take in, then our capacity will be expanded and God will pour more and more out on us and into us and through us.

This has been an issue for me all my life, because with my rich home environment I acquired a lot of knowledge about the Bible and God from an early age. However, learning to apply what I know has been an ongoing process. That should give me patience with those to whom I minister, as they too learn to apply what they hear. I am not to demand perfection, but I am to urge it and encourage it, in myself and my flock. James of course recorded one of the most pithy comments on this issue, saying that failing to do what we hear of the Word is simply deceiving ourselves. (James 1:22) I need to seek to be God’s instrument in raising up a body of doing believers, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. Help me follow through! Thank You for Your faithfulness to speak through me time and time again. Help us all listen to what You are saying, with hearts that are committed to obedience. Thank You for the business meeting this coming Sunday. May our deliberations and decisions be in perfect agreement with Your will, so that as a church and as individuals we may be doing what You say, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!