Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, 'Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Our society can sometimes be getting and not giving. However, recently there has been a real resurgence of people wanting to give. They are generously giving to food banks and other charities to help those who are suffering because of the pandemic.

But Jesus' saying: 'the measure you give will be the measure you get', doesn't actually refer to this. It's referring to the fact that the more time and effort we put into something the more we'll get out of it. For instance, if we take up a new sport, the more we practice, the better we'll get and the more we'll enjoy it. Or, the more we study, the more knowledgeable we'll become!

So, too, the more effort put into learning about our faith, and the more time spent in worship or prayer, then the more we will get out of it. People sometimes say "I didn't get much out of that service". My answer has always been: "What did you put into it?" We should come with expectation and hope; we should come prepared and ready to meet God.

Jesus says, "To those who have, more will be given." Apply this to your faith, what happens?

Lord God,
teach us to learn more about our faith;
teach us how to pray;
teach us how to worship You;
teach us how to live out our faith'
teach us to expect to meet You;
and teach us how to encourage others.
Amen.