The Meaning of Jesus’ Repeated Principle

Jesus’ statement, “For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away,” appears twice in Matthew’s Gospel. He uses it first in Matthew 13:12 to explain why He teaches in parables, and again in Matthew 25:29 at the conclusion of the parable of the talents. Although the contexts differ, the principle is the same. Jesus is explaining how Jehovah responds to the human heart—its receptivity, its obedience, and its stewardship of what He has given.

This statement is not about earthly wealth, social privilege, or political advantage. It does not justify inequality, exploitation, or oppression. It is a spiritual law about how Jehovah deals with those who love the truth and those who resist it. The one who listens, obeys, and treasures divine truth receives more. The one who ignores, neglects, or resists divine truth loses even the limited light he once possessed. This principle belongs to the moral order of God’s world, in the same way that sowing precedes reaping. It is woven into how Jehovah gives revelation, responsibility, and reward.

The Principle in Matthew 13: Parables Given to Reveal and to Conceal

Jesus begins teaching in parables in Matthew 13. The disciples ask Him privately why He speaks to the crowds this way. He explains that parables serve a dual purpose. To those whose hearts are responsive, the parables reveal “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” To those whose hearts are hardened, the same parables conceal the truth. Those who draw near to Jesus and ask Him questions gain more understanding. Those who dismiss Him or view Him with hostility lose the ability to recognize the truth.

This is where Jesus states the principle: “For to the one who has, more will be given.” To “have” in this context means to possess a receptive heart. It means having a small measure of understanding, a desire for truth, and a willingness to obey. Those who “have” this posture receive greater clarity. Jesus explains the parables privately to His disciples. Their understanding grows because they respond to the light they have been given.

“To have” does not refer to intelligence or talent; it refers to humility and responsiveness. Those who “have” the right heart posture grow rapidly in spiritual discernment. Those who do not have this posture lose the ability to see even obvious truths. “Even what he has will be taken away” refers to the diminishing effect of persistent spiritual resistance. Hearing God’s Word without obedience leads to hardening. Light resisted becomes darkness.

Thus, Matthew 13:12 is a warning and an encouragement. It warns that those who neglect revelation lose it. It encourages those who cherish revelation that Jehovah will honor their desire with more truth, greater understanding, and deeper insight into the Scriptures.

“Having” Means Receiving and Obeying the Word

Throughout Scripture, “having” in the spiritual sense means possessing a heart aligned with God’s will. The person who “has” is not the one with intellectual mastery or religious credentials. It is the person who trembles at God’s Word, who seeks understanding, who willingly obeys, and who asks Christ to teach him. This person “has” in the sense Jesus means.

When a believer receives even a small amount of truth with sincerity and obedience, Jehovah opens more to him. Understanding grows by obedience. Every step taken in the light reveals more light. This pattern is consistent from Genesis to Revelation. Those who walk in what Jehovah reveals receive more revelation.

By contrast, the person who hears but does not obey begins to lose clarity. He may retain facts but lose spiritual perception. He may increase in knowledge but decrease in wisdom. He “has” on the surface, but in God’s evaluation he “does not have,” because he refuses to submit to what he knows. His unused understanding withers.

This principle operates in every part of spiritual life: understanding, holiness, stewardship, and evangelism.

The Principle in Matthew 25: Faithfulness Brings Greater Responsibility

In Matthew 25, Jesus applies the same principle to stewardship and service. The parable of the talents describes a master entrusting three servants with differing amounts of money. He assigns responsibility according to each servant’s ability. He expects them to work, invest, and increase what they have been given. The first two servants do exactly that. The third buries the talent, refusing to use or increase it.

When the master returns, the first two servants receive the same commendation: “Well done, good and faithful slave.” They also receive increased responsibility: “I will set you over many things.” They “have,” because they used what Jehovah entrusted to them. Therefore, “more will be given” to them. Their faithfulness leads to expanded stewardship and deeper participation in the master’s joy.

The third servant misrepresents the master and refuses to work. He hides the talent and then blames the master for his own disobedience. In the master’s evaluation, he “does not have.” His unwillingness to obey means that the responsibility he had is removed. His unused opportunity is taken from him and given to the faithful servant. This is not arbitrary; it is a moral principle. Responsibilities belong to those who use them, not to those who neglect them.

Thus, Matthew 25:29 teaches that faithfulness in small matters leads to greater opportunities in the service of Christ. Neglect leads to loss. This principle will be fully applied at Christ’s return, when He evaluates the faithful and the unfaithful and assigns roles in His future Kingdom.

Jehovah’s Moral Order: Light Increases with Use

Jesus is describing a spiritual law. It is as real as physical gravity. The law is this: spiritual truth grows when it is obeyed and diminishes when it is resisted. Responsibilities increase when they are embraced and decrease when they are neglected. Jehovah designed this order to cultivate humility, faithfulness, and zeal in His people.

This principle can be stated in several complementary ways.

First, understanding grows through obedience. The Bible is not mastered purely by intellect. It is mastered by submission. Obedience opens the mind further.

Second, holiness deepens through practice. Righteousness exercised becomes stronger. Neglected righteousness weakens.

Third, stewardship expands through faithfulness. Those who serve diligently receive more opportunity.

Fourth, evangelistic fruitfulness increases through use. Those who share their faith grow in courage and clarity. Those who hide their faith weaken in conviction.

Fifth, spiritual perception sharpens through attentiveness. Those who cherish the Word gain discernment. Those who neglect it become dull.

This is why Jesus says that the one who “has” will be given “abundance.” He is not speaking of earthly wealth but of spiritual richness—understanding, wisdom, holiness, usefulness, and joy.

The Meaning of “Even What He Has Will Be Taken Away”

The second half of the principle describes a sober judgment. When a person refuses to listen, he eventually loses the capacity to hear. When a person refuses to obey, the truth he once knew loses its grip on him. When a person refuses responsibility, Jehovah removes the responsibility and gives it to another.

The one who “does not have” in Jesus’ evaluation is not someone who lacks opportunity; it is someone who rejects it. He perceives spiritual truth as a burden rather than a treasure. He views responsibility as a threat rather than a privilege. He blames God for his own disobedience.

This loss is not arbitrary punishment. It is the natural result of neglect. Light not used dims. Opportunities not taken dry up. Talents buried become talents removed. The servant who hides the talent proves he never truly belonged to the master’s purpose.

This principle is fully applied at the final judgment. Those who have lived faithfully, even with small gifts, will be given abundant life, expanded stewardship, and participation in Christ’s rule. Those who have resisted truth and buried their opportunities will face loss and destruction. Their refusal to respond to Jehovah’s grace will be exposed as the cause of their final exclusion.

The Principle Applied to the Christian Life Today

This principle applies to every disciple of Christ today. It challenges, comforts, and motivates.

It challenges those who take the Word lightly. It warns that passive attitudes toward Scripture are spiritually dangerous. No one remains static. We either grow or diminish. We either gain or lose. Spiritual drift is not neutral; it results in hardness of heart.

It comforts those who fear they have too little to offer. The servant with two talents received the same commendation as the one with five. Jehovah is not comparing numbers. He values faithfulness. The smallest measure of obedience receives His favor and leads to greater opportunities.

It motivates believers to use every entrusted gift and responsibility. Life itself is a stewardship. Time, resources, relationships, knowledge, opportunities for service—all are divine assignments. The Christian who uses them faithfully will receive more. The Christian who neglects them will lose them.

The principle also applies to congregational life. A congregation that treasures the Word, practices obedience, and engages in evangelism will grow in discernment and effectiveness. A congregation that neglects the Word will lose clarity, unity, and vitality.

It applies to individual spiritual disciplines. The believer who prays faithfully grows in prayer. The believer who studies Scripture faithfully gains understanding. The believer who worships faithfully deepens reverence. The believer who evangelizes faithfully gains boldness.

Every step of obedience opens the way to more.

Jesus’ Principle as a Promise and a Warning

Matthew 13:12 and 25:29 contain both promise and warning.

The promise is that Jehovah delights to give more to those who love His Word. He does not withhold light from the obedient. He multiplies it. He does not restrict opportunities from the faithful. He expands them. Spiritual growth is never blocked by God; it is blocked only by neglect.

The warning is that neglect produces loss. The consequences of resisting truth are real. A person can attend worship, hear sermons, and read Scripture and yet remain spiritually barren if he does not obey. Knowledge without obedience leads to judgment, not maturity.

Jesus’ principle reveals the seriousness of hearing the Word. Every hearing of Scripture either deepens faith or hardens the heart. Every opportunity in service either increases stewardship or reduces it. Every step toward Christ multiplies blessings; every step away from Him multiplies loss.

Thus, the saying, “to those who have, more will be given,” reveals both Jehovah’s generosity and His justice. He rewards those who treasure the truth and judges those who bury it.

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