Lent 2026 Day 8: Thu 26 Feb
Mark 4:24-25
24 He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has will be given more. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
This is an odd little saying. It could have been picked from a collection of Jesus’ pithy sayings. Hidden within it, however, is the framework of the parable of the talents.
Each of us is blessed. Some are blessed with skills and wisdom. Some are blessed with leadership and responsibility. Some have it all, and some are less blessed (don’t automatically assume that this applies to you, ever!) Of course, Christians would never dream of being jealous of others who seem to have more talent! With greater talent comes the greater expectation that we will use it for God’s glory.
The church (and let’s think local congregation rather than the wider institution) is made up of members – we might wonder at times whether Father God was playing a joke on us when we look at the body that seems like it has arms and legs, though not necessarily evenly distributed, plenty of mouths but nowhere near so many pairs of ears. What God has made available to each congregation is perfect for the mission he has placed upon it. It’s true, it’s glorious, it’s salutary, it’s frightening! It’s us individually and corporately to recognise the talents we have rather than the ones we covet, and to use and grow those in line with God’s will and purpose.
It may seem cruel and unfair that those who have little or nothing (verse 25) will have that taken away. But that will only happen after they have done nothing with the measure they were given. Any member who does not step up to what God expects becomes dead wood – that in essence is what Jesus is saying.
Are you happy that you are using the gifts God has given you?
How might you grow or extend those gifts?
What do you expect to hear from Father God when you enter into glory?
Father God, you have gifted me for playing my part in my church congregation and in my daily life. Stir up the gift in me and challenge me to exercise and grow to become more like Jesus. Amen
Paul