To Encourage You

Matthew 13:12 “For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

We have all heard about the “haves” and the “have nots.”  The “haves” are the ones with the best jobs and salaries; the nicest homes; the biggest, most expensive cars; the greatest vacations; the beautiful lives – you know the kind. The “have nots,” on the other hand, are those that lack these things – they only see them from afar – and often covet the wonderful things that this life has to offer to, at least, some people. 

Jesus turns this whole thing on its head.  In His view, the “haves” are the ones that, although they may have nothing good in this life, still have Him. They are the ones that have put their faith in Him.  And with this, they have this inner peace, great joy, and a life of gratitude, no matter the conditions they find themselves in. Like Paul, they are the ones who have learned to be content, no matter the circumstances, no matter if they are well fed or hungry, no matter if they are in a situation of abundance or a situation of great physical need (Philippians 4:12). And it is these people that will be given so much more goodness in the end.  Like Job, who suffered greatly, but in the end was greatly blessed, in the end will be given more than they can now imagine. Like the poor, suffering Lazarus who suffered greatly at the gate of the rich man but in the end was greatly comforted, they too will someday soon receive comfort that will never end.  They will have all of eternity to enjoy the things that God will pour out to them, things that are far more abundant than anything we can even ask for or think about (Ephesians 3:20).  It is a fact that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for them that love him” (I Cor 2:9). 

On the other hand, many of the “haves” in this life, if they don’t have Christ, will end up with everything they have now stripped away from them in a moment. The truth is that everything they do have is a gift from God – every meal they have eaten, every wonderful experience, good health, the ability to earn money and enjoy what comes with it – they just don’t acknowledge it, and there is no gratitude in their heart to God for these things.  For them, eternity will be an experience of never-ending loss and deprivation.  Like the rich man in Luke 16:25, they are the ones that in their lifetime received their good things but will in the end suffer never ending anguish – thirst, hunger, nakedness, utter loneliness, and separation from anything good.  This should put the fear of God into every unbelieving heart. 

So, do you know the Jesus Christ?  Have you believed in Him?  Have you put your life into His hands?  You will not regret it if you have, no matter what the circumstances in your life now, but you will eternally regret it if you have not, no matter how good you have it now. 

Are you a “have” or a “have not?”