◄ What Does Luke 19:26 Mean? ►

"I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

Luke 19:26(NASB)

Verse of the Day

So much of the Word of God is written to the believer, and this verse is no exception - and although this parable was directed at the Jews who were about to reject their King and crucify their Messiah, it also has beautiful application to Church age believers. Just days before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus visited the city of Jericho. He knew He was about to be rejected and crucified, but His plea continued to be towards the lost sheep of the house of Israel whom He would take out of the Jewish sheepfold and join together with His coming Gentile flock so there would be one flock and one Shepherd.

This parable reminds us of a truth that all believers would do well to recognise, which is the Holy Spirit equips us all with gifts, talents, abilities, and works which God has foreordained that we should do. The Spirit chooses to empower all believers in a way that is unique and special to each one. He equips us to carry out His perfect will in each of our lives if and when we are willing to submit to His guidance, as we walk in spirit and truth, as we abide in Christ, and let Him live His perfect new life-in-Christ in us.

The more we live, and move, and have our being in Christ, the more fruitful our lives will become. The more we make use of the gifts, talents, abilities, and works which GOD has prepared for us to do (works carried out in our new man-in-Christ and not by our old sin nature), the more they will increase and enlarge, and the more they will overflow in abundance. But carnal believers that seek to use their gifts and carry out the works the Lord has prepared for them to do in the power of their own flesh (or simply ignore them), will live a life that is unfruitful and in the end, they will suffer loss.

Oh, the 'loss' mentioned here most certainly does not refer to a loss of salvation, for the gifts and calling of God will never be revoked and our eternal life is a gift that can never, ever be taken away. But we need to understand that those who use their God-given gifts and abide in Christ, by humbly submitting to the Holy Spirit, will be given even more. BUT those who do not use their God-given gifts, or who undertake works in the power of their fleshly nature, will quench (or grieve) the Holy Spirit with their conduct, and even the little they have will be taken away from them at the believer's judgement seat of Christ.

Let us live in spirit and truth so that we bring forth fruit - more fruit - much fruit - to the glory of God the Father.

My Prayer

Loving Lord, thank You for the gifts, talents, abilities, and works which You have prepared for me to do. May they increase, enlarge, and overflow in abundance, as I seek to live my life in spirit and truth. In Jesus' name, AMEN.