Mark 4:24-25

Passage

Jesus cautions the people to pay attention to what they hear.  Jesus then tells them that with the measure they choose to give they shall also receive according to the same measure.  Then Jesus tells the audience that those who have shall receive more while those without shall lose even what they currently do have.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We are to pay attention to what we hear.  What we hear tells us what others believe and teach.  What we hear tells us about others with respect to what they are prepared to listen.  It is our ears that discern the world around us.  We should treasure our ability to hear in the world for our sake and the sake of those to whom God has called us.

How much do you pay attention to what you are hearing?  Why is it easy to focus on what you want to say instead of listening to others around you?

Second Thought:

Jesus speaks about a “measure.”  To grasp what Jesus is saying, think about having a bucket of water.  A friend comes along and asks for a drink.  Do you dip into the bucket with a small scoop and give the friend a sip or do you dip into the bucket with a large scoop and let the friend drink their fill?  Now, instead of water, think about this analogy with respect to time, money, and your talents?  When God asks you for your time, money, and talents for the kingdom do you scoop in with a little scoop sparing what you can or do give a large portion knowing that God can refill your life?

Does it make sense that those who reach into their life with a big scoop will receive from God from His big scoop?  Does this passage motivate you to want to do more?  Do you think you are a spiritually “big scoop” or “little scoop” person?

Third Thought:

The last comment in this section is really a spiritual comment.  But before we go too far into the spiritual, first understand that it demonstrates that Jesus does not see spirituality as equal across the board.  There may be equality in that “all who are in Christ will live eternally.”  But it does not mean that all persons of salvation will receive an equal reward.

In fact, this passage is actually telling us that the more faith through which we act in this world, the more faith that God will bestow upon us.  On the flipside, those who lack faith in this world can expect to not only lose the life they currently have but also any chance at living into the eternal as well.  From the perspective of faith: the more you live with the more you will receive; but live with no and even your life will be taken away in the end.

How scary is it to you to think about going through this life without faith and having nothing on the other side of death?  How grateful are you that God has given you faith and you have responded to God’s gracious gift of faith?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:26-29