Be careful how you hear...

 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” Luke 8:16-18 (The Message)

As a church we are working our way through the parables of Jesus. What strikes me as ironic is how familiar they are as little snippets and how startling and demanding they are with their full meaning.

Jesus was and is a brilliant story teller, teacher, a craftsman of words and phrase.  Makes sense that John the Apostle would use the philosophical word "logos" to describe Him. "In the beginning was the Word"....the order and reasoning of the universe...the meaning that under-girds it all.

So immediately following the parable of the Sower...which by the way is the key to understanding much of Jesus' teaching, He speaks about lighting a lamp and the absurdity of hiding it.

If you want to grasp Jesus' teaching and His miracles, change your lenses and try to see everything through the long-term plan of preparing His disciples for future ministry.  He was whispering in their ears...but He would soon expect them to shout it all from the rooftops.

Which brings us to the parable of the lamp.  Who would light a lamp with the idea of hiding it?  Certainly, God would not.  His investment in you, the truth He has shared, the grace He has lavished, the salvation He has poured upon you....would they not all be for some greater global purpose?

"Take heed therefore how you hear"....was the old English version of saying.."don't be stingy with the truth and grace that you have heard and experienced." Spread it around.  Shine your light so that others can keep from stumbling around and stubbing their toes....or falling off a cliff. Don't you want to help them find their way to Christ, the source of truth and life? 

Can we not see that God has long-term ministry plans that will produce eternal results?  "You are the light of the world..."