Considering Carefully… The “More” Factor

“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them” (Luke 8:18, NIV).

Do you see the link here between “listening” and “having”? These two concepts are inseparable. The more you listen, the more you will have. But what is it that you will have? We find the answer to this question in the previous verse: “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” (v. 17, NKJV).

Jesus is talking about secrets here. God’s secrets. Did you know that God has secrets? There are things that He doesn’t tell just anyone. They are reserved for His true friends. To those of us who long for deeper friendship with Him, there is more and more of Himself that He is going to reveal to us. Even aspects of His nature that had at one point been “hidden” from us will become “known” to our hearts.

But… only if we will learn how to listen. You see the “therefore” at the beginning of our opening verse? I heard a preacher say once, “When you see a ‘therefore’ you want to ask yourself what it’s ‘there for.’” What is this “therefore” there for? First, Jesus emphasizes the availability of spiritual secrets. He stresses God’s desire to bring what is hidden out into the light, before your very eyes and ears. He follows that immediately by “Therefore, consider carefully how you listen.” In other words, you are eligible for these revealed secrets, but it is a conditional eligibility. This getting to know previously hidden aspects of God’s heart very much could be for you personally…if…

If you cultivate the art of listening closely to Him. If and only if.

So let’s take a moment today and do exactly what He is inviting us to do: Let’s consider carefully…

• How do I listen? What adjectives could describe the way I listen to God?
• Do I take time out each day to listen for what He is saying to me?
• Do I ask Him questions, inviting Him to share His revelations with me?
• Do I show Him that I care deeply about what He wants to tell me? Do I steward it by writing it down?

If you can say yes to all of these questions, look at our verse for today one more time. Do you see it there? This promise is for you: “Whoever has will be given more.” Today, the Father has more of His heart to open up and disclose to you. He is longing for the company of good listeners. Will you be one of them?

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“Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” (James 1:19, GW).

Does this verse apply to our relationship with God too? Does it apply to the way we do our quiet times with Him?