For the past couple of weeks we have been examining the different aspects and definitions of faith.

Today we are going to be looking at another related scripture showing us why such things are important, from Jesus’ own words.

The importance of faith can never be understated, as our LORD Himself stated that our faith in Him is of utmost value to Him.

Our scripture text today is one that has confused many in the past and so this will be exciting today as we finally will be revealing what Jesus meant when He said these words. Now before we take a look at it I know that there are some curious-natured people like myself who are wondering why Jesus would say things that confuse people. The answer of course is that He really didn’t do that, but it is the darkened and unbelieving minds and hearts of the hearers of His words that cause them to be confused. They who read a scripture and say to themselves “that can’t possibly mean what it says” or “we can’t take it at face value, there must be another meaning.”

My friends as we study this scripture today, let us study with an open mind, realizing that God says exactly what He means, and means exactly what He says. There are no impossibilities with God.

So, having settled this fact in our minds, let us now examine Matthew 13:12:

“For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”

Now this scripture has several meanings, the first being talking about the understanding of scripture, which upon examining the surrounding verses, you will see the disciples asking Jesus about. Yet He also used this opportunity to teach us the “mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven” as alluded to in verse 11.

The first question we must ask here is what was Jesus referring to? What shall we have, be given more of, or have taken away from us? He answer is, “everything in the kingdom of Heaven, every blessing promised to us.

Does this then mean that Jesus would take away our blessings? No, and He never said that He is the one who takes away those things… No that description better suits the one whom God calls the thief, Satan.

So let us now examine what Jesus is saying here: “To those who have, more will be given”.

So who has the blessings? We do.

As believers, we should constantly have the mindset and attitude of a blessed son or daughter of God. And the more we believe, have faith and grab ahold of our true nature in Christ, the more we shall be given. It’s the same principle as in the Ten Minas,in Luke 19:11 – which I will leave for each of you to study in your personal time.

However if we go around with a defeated impoverished attitude of a pauper, then even what we have will be taken from us.

It will be taken by the means and devices of the enemy because we are not properly exercising our faith and trust in Christ.

This is not the new age “power of positive thinking”, no because that idea bypasses the necessity of Christ and the finished work at the cross.

What this is though is faith in the finished work and the complete and paid for blessings being poured out upon us because of Him!

So today, what do you believe? Do you have or have not? Do you have healing or do you have sickness?

Do you have wealth, or do you have poverty?

Notice Jesus stated it both ways… you can believe you have good or have not good; you can believe you have bad or have not bad.

Either way it means the same thing. Believe on Christ and all the blessings which He paid such a high price to bestow to us. The price was not free or cheap. He paid for it, to give it freely to us. He is the Pearl of Great Price, and what He paid for is paid in full. Accept His gift, believe, and have it!