2021-03-07. Taken Away.
Taken away – MUS#8
In the parable of the sower, Jesus says: “My children, do you not perceive the law of the spirit which decrees that to him who has shall be given so that he shall have an abundance; but from him who has not shall be taken away even that which he has.”
(UB 151:1.4)
In the Bible we have three instances where Jesus said, we are told, are virtually the same: “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 13:12). See the others at the end of the footnotes.
What a startling statement this must have been to those that first heard it. We cannot yet imagine what these words mean, what their impact is, and how they do reflect how life is lived on this world (and everywhere else) whether we recognized it or not. Below, in the footnotes, there are the other references to this concept that Jesus gave us.
But look at these statements above carefully. There is a huge difference between them. In the Bible versions, they are stated as a cause and effect relationship that we all struggle with. The one the has, gets more, while the one that does not have gets even what he has taken away. Here, today, we can think of this as “the rich getter richer and the poor get poorer.”
That can sound like the Bible give carte blanche to some to accumulate whatever they want to without limit, while the poor will always be with us, except they will become poorer still.
But the cause, or seeming cause, as expressed in what Jesus tells us is not what we attempt to glean from the Bible. Jesus tells us, explicitly, that it is this that those who “do not perceive the law of the spirit which decrees…” and so forth. A decree that comes from the laws of spirit is the source. Thus it has to do with spiritual substance, not temporal stuff. Yet we see in this temporal world that this law can be used by temporal means to appear to be a cause and effect––if you have a lot of money (the usual association), more money will come along for your benefit. Wasn’t this the lesson of the Parable of the Talents?
In another context, (UB 173:4.4) Jesus says, “…if you continue to reject this gospel…” and says something similar, except that it has to do with those that will become recipients of the good news. So, spirit-focused again. And in Paper 176, section 3.5, Jesus uses the same concept to explain that one cannot stand still in the Kingdom, but must continue grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth. Again, spiritual.
And soon.
I have taken this concept to be similar to the so-called law of attraction––what one’s mind dwells upon, becomes manifest over time. Or I also like to think of it in terms of “paying it forward,” wherein we can be the one that initiates the kind word, the gentle act, the loving prayer for another anytime we want to or are move by spirit to do so. (Of course, it is also fun to undertake this idea by buying someone else’s cup of coffee or even breakfast while “driving thru.” I get tickled by the thought of what that person will think or how they might respond. I never know what happens next, but it cannot be bad, even if they did or thought nothing next.)
I think the lesson for us in each one of these circumstances is that we control whether we grow in the Kingdom or atrophy. Use it or lose it. We have the power––will power––to instantly call to ourselves and our siblings the strength of spirit-led intentions that can and do affect the world, even if in the tiniest way. But, make no mistake: very such intention brings us all closer to Light and Life
And if your ego tells you differently, ask who is it to judge, ego being an illusion to spirit and a truth that we all need to keep in mind
Footnotes:
Here are the quotes from the UB:
Jesus: “My beloved, you must always make a difference in teaching so as to suit your presentation of truth to the minds and hearts before you. When you stand before a multitude of varying intellects and temperaments, you cannot speak different words for each class of hearers, but you can tell a story to convey your teaching; and each group, even each individual, will be able to make his own interpretation of your parable in accordance with his own intellectual and spiritual endowments. You are to let your light shine but do so with wisdom and discretion. No man, when he lights a lamp, covers it up with a vessel or puts it under the bed; he puts his lamp on a stand where all can behold the light. Let me tell you that nothing is hid in the kingdom of heaven which shall not be made manifest; neither are there any secrets which shall not ultimately be made known. Eventually, all these things shall come to light. Think not only of the multitudes and how they hear the truth; take heed also to yourselves how you hear. Remember that I have many times told you: To him who has shall be given more, while from him who has not shall be taken away even that which he thinks he has.” (UB 151:3.1)
Jesus and the parable of the pounds: “And then said this ruler to those who stood by: ‘Take the money from this slothful servant and give it to him who has ten pounds.’ And when they reminded the master that such a one already had ten pounds, he said: ‘To every one who has shall be given more, but from him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away from him.’” (UB 171:8.7)
Jesus: “Did you never read in the Scripture about the stone which the builders rejected, and which, when the people had discovered it, was made into the cornerstone? And so once more do I warn you that, if you continue to reject this gospel, presently will the kingdom of God be taken away from you and be given to a people willing to receive the good news and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit.” (UB 173:4.4)
Jesus: “To every one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away. You cannot stand still in the affairs of the eternal kingdom. My Father requires all his children to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth. You who know these truths must yield the increase of the fruits of the spirit and manifest a growing devotion to the unselfish service of your fellow servants. And remember that, inasmuch as you minister to one of the least of my brethren, you have done this service to me.” (UB 176:3.5)
Jesus: “If professed believers bear not these fruits of the divine spirit in their lives, they are dead; the Spirit of Truth is not in them; they are useless branches on the living vine, and they soon will be taken away. My Father requires of the children of faith that they bear much spirit fruit. If, therefore, you are not fruitful, he will dig about your roots and cut away your unfruitful branches.” (UB 193:2.2)
From the Bible: (New International Version):
Jesus said: “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 13:12)
Jesus said: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 25:29)
Jesus said: “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Mark 4:25)
