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.
A superficial apprehension of this saying would seem to confirm the way of the world. Remember Raymond Egan and Gus Kahn’s 1920 song, Ain’t We Got Fun? One version of the final verse goes, There’s nothing surer: the rich get richer and the poor get children…
But Jesus isn’t talking about possessions or wealth. He’s talking about a capacity of soul to take in, to receive, to be honest–which experientially translates into admitting my neediness.
When I can admit that I don’t have it all together, I’m ready to receive life’s gifts, even from odd and unattractive channels. The more I receive, the more I’m capable of receiving.
In the soul, stinginess is not hoarding but complacency and self-satisfaction.
Peggy Anderson says
Back to humility, a lifelong project! Peace.