TO WHOEVER HAS, MORE WILL BE GIVEN

Luke 8:16-18

It is always interesting to see how some gospel passages contradict each other. This gospel is one of these seemingly contradictions in the bible. When we read the first part of this passage we seem to clearly understand what it means because we have the experience of the light. It is true that the light is not lit to be put under the bed, but rather on a lampstand for people to see. But the second part of this same passage is a bit confusing. “To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away”.

Is this not contradicting the whole teaching of Jesus about the care of the poor? It is as if Jesus is saying the rich will receive more, and the poor will be made poorer. Bu I think this passage is not about material possessions. Rather, as the psalmist puts it in psalm 50 “For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn”.

That is what is all about in this passage: having a humbled heart, a loving heart, a contrite heart. And if you have that heart, more will be given. If you have that kind of heart then you will be open and you will benefit of all the blessings of God; of all that the Lord has to give. And if you don’t have that heart, then nothing will be given unto you, and the little you have will be taken away. This idea connects you to the first part of the light. The light that you have, the loving heart that you have should shine wherever you are. A loving heart, a humbled heart is never hidden. It shines for all to see. It gives light to all who come closer to it. May the give us humbled and contrite hearts.