It might be embarrassing to answer that question? I have an abundance of shoes, clothes, purses, jewelry, all the regular things. Then, there are the quirky things. I hate to admit that I keep an abundance of toilet paper stocked on my shelves. I'm not sure why, just don't want to run out I guess. If Jesus were to ask me what I have in abundance, I would have a list of a lot of things. I've got pictures, CD's, videos, DVD's, angel collection, Christmas decorations. The list can go on and on. What about you? What do you have in abundance?
Jesus said in Matthew 13:12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. He spoke these words in the context of having an understanding and knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. When I consider my life and think about the things that I have an abundance of, I don't even take into account wanting an abundance of the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven. It's not anywhere on my list of things I want. When I think about the statement Jesus made, I wonder; what am I missing out on? What would I really have if I had an abundance of the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven?
There is something more important to consider in my pondering. It's what Jesus goes on to say. He continues in Matthew 13:12 to explain; Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. It sounds like having an abundance of knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven is foundational to having anything at all. Even though I have so many things in abundance, there are lots of people who have an abundance of lots more then me. Bill Gates, one of the richest men in the world, is an example. Now, there is a man who would have volumes to write if he listed what he has in abundance. But, the truth is, that if he doesn't have knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, what he has will be taken from him. Without knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven, you really don't have anything from an eternal perspective.
This got me to thinking; Why don't I want more of the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven? Why am I so satisfied with knowledge of a sale, so I can buy more shoes, or another jacket?
Jesus invites to know Him, and to know the secrets about how my life on this earth fits into the kingdom of God. My own survey of what I have in abundance shows me how poverty stricken I really am. I may have lots of things, but they don't secure abundance. If I'm seeking abundance, I need to seek the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Where do I find them? I find them in the Word of God. I find them in the stories Jesus told. Today, I'm choosing to enjoy the abundance of knowing God by spending time with Him in deep conversation and pondering His Word. I sure don't want to be one of those whom Jesus described; Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding: you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears and they have closed their eyes. Other wise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Matthew 13:13-15) I can see that I need to open my eyes and ears to the secrets of the kingdom more. What about you?
