Master's Principle #3

Have you ever wondered why some Christians just don’t get it? They attend the same services and hear the same Word but their only response continues to be an empty stare.
Well, I think I have an answer.
The disciples asked Jesus why, by speaking in parables, He made it difficult for some to understand His teaching (Matt 13:10). Jesus first reminds the disciples of the special place they hold in His plans and purposes. After all, they were the ones who responded to His personal invitation to follow Him and become “fishers of men”.
And then, Jesus continues by making, what on the surface, seems to be a perplexing statement. “Whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (Matt 13:12) What in the world does that mean? Whoever has what?
Jesus' answer refers to the parable He had just told. It was the Parable of the Sower. The seed was offered to all types of ground, but only the “good ground yielded a crop”. Only the good ground had something to show for the seed it was given. When Jesus says, “Whoever has, to him more will be given,” Jesus is promising to provide more seed where the first seed has produced a harvest! And the promise they “will have abundance” refers to the continued yield of blessings from the continued sowing of seed.
This is the Principle of the Master. Just as productive ground will receive successive sowing of seed, so receptive and fruitful hearts will receive continued insight and understanding of the Word.
So, let’s listen up and respond the first time and we won’t be the ones leaving Church with the empty stares!
By the way, I just noticed that THE MESSAGE uses these words in its translation – “Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears.”