A Stewardship Of Truth

Jesus used parables to make truth simple and understandable. The previous parable to this passage concerned an agricultural metaphor that taught a lesson centered around the sower, seed, and soil. The primary lesson in that parable was that there are different responses to God's truth. All received the truth of the seed from the sower (4:3, 14), and they all "heard" (4:15-16, 18, 20). However, the response was not the same.

A Christian is one who has a journey with truth in the most innermost parts of his heart. He loves truth. See Psalm 51:6.

There are three responsibilities believers have as stewards of God's truth:

1. Hold the Truth High - 4:21-22

The "lamp" was a small clay dish filled with oil

and a wick that gave light. Disciples are like

that lamp - to be revealers of light and truth.

This lamp was in every home in Israel and, of

necessity, was given a prominent place.

"Light" is a synonym for truth in the Bible. Like

the lamp the believer is to enlighten by standing

for God's truth. See II Peter 1:19; Psalm 43:3;

Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 6:23;

Ephesians 5:13; I John 1:5-7.

When person isn't right with God it shows in their

countenance - the light has gone from their eyes.

See Proverbs 15:13, 30; Ezra 9:8; Psalm 38:10;

Proverbs 21:29.

"Darkness" is a synonym for ignorance and error in

the Bible. See Ephesians 5:8; II Corinthians

4:4-6. It is unnatural to hide the truth. Our

culture makes us cower from absolutes.

A. Some hide it because of busyness - "bushel" -

4:21. A bushel basket contained two gallons

and was a work implement. It measured dry

goods.

B. Some hide it because of laziness - "bed" -

4:21. It takes effort to stand alone. There

is a price to receive truth. See Proverbs

2:3-5.

C. Some hide it because of fear - 4:22. Truth

can only be suppressed temporarily - one day it

will come out.

2. Hear the Truth Clearly - 4:23-25

A Christian has a responsibility to be attentive to

truth. "Ears to hear" (4:23) means one has

spiritual understanding of the truth. It is

listening with the heart and mind.

A. Everyone doesn't hear the truth - 4:23. Apart

from the Spirit of God there is no appetite

for spiritual issues. See I Corinthians

2:12, 14.

B. Everyone doesn't have the truth - 4:24a.

Christians are cautioned against opening their

heart to any teacher. Truth is a precious

commodity. See I Samuel 3:1; Proverbs 19:27;

Isaiah 5:20; Isaiah 8:20

C. Everyone doesn't have the same amount of truth

- 4:24b-25. You will either use it or lose

it. The more truth you give out, the more you

will receive. The less you give, the less you

receive. People with spiritual truth were not

born with it.

3. Harvest the Truth Proportionately - 4:26-29

The laws of harvest apply to the Christian walk.

A. No seed, no crop - 4:26. This implies that

one's heart was prepared to receive the seed

of God's Word. There simply is no harvest

without a planting time.

B. No patience, no crop - 4:27-28. It takes time

for a crop to grow and mature. Our culture

is consumed with that which can be received

quickly. See I Corinthians 3:6-7.

C. No crop, no fruit - 4:29a. Salvation results

in spiritual fruit. Good seed plus good

ground equals a good crop.

D. No fruit, no Heaven - 4:29b. One day Christ

will return for His own and the harvest will be

complete. See Matthew 13:30.

Conclusion

The believer needs to actively pursue the light through truth (Romans 13:12). The unbeliever needs God's truth lit in their heart (Proverbs 18:28)