“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Luke 8:16-18
Luke 8 contains an interesting teaching, one that seems to overlap with other passages in Scripture.
But it contains a warning—and a promise—that is actually quite weighty and important. So much so that we had better not miss it.
Our passage today begins with a parable about hiding the light from a lamp, which immediately brings up the familiar teaching in Matthew 5:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
And it ends with a warning and a promise about “what they think they have will be taken from them,” which brings up another familiar teaching from Matthew 25 in the Parable of the Talents, where the Master says to the servant who turned five bags of gold into ten:
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
But the context in Luke 8 is entirely different. Which gave me pause recently when I read it.
Jesus doesn’t seem to be talking about sharing the gospel—although He does elsewhere for sure.
And Jesus doesn’t seem to be talking about using our gifts in proper service to Him—although He does elsewhere for sure.
Jesus is teaching us something different. He is teaching us that the same principles apply in how we listen to God’s Word in our lives.
When we hear God’s Word and put it into practice in a way that others can see, we will be given more: “Whoever has will be given more.”
But when we hear God’s Word and do not put it into practice, the opposite is true: “Whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
This ought to be a highly motivating teaching for us. We are either moving forward in our understanding and relationship with God—or even what we think we have is being taken from us.
And the deciding factor between the two is how we listen and how we apply God’s Word in our life.
May we all be moving forward—receiving and applying more and more of God’s truth each day.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, with all of my heart and soul, I desire to grow closer to You each day. Make that a reality in my life. Help me create the margin and space to listen to You and give me the strength to apply Your Word in a way that everyone can see I am following You. Amen.