Mark 4:21

 Mark 4:21 says, And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? We need to shine the light of the gospel in the world.  It is too easy to allow the gospel to become hidden by other things that we say and do. We can let it be hidden under the bushel of doubt or anger.  The Light is not going to shine brightly if all that people see is negativity on the part of Christians. Verse twenty-two adds, For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. Also, the light of the gospel will reveal all the things that we attempt to keep secret.  There are no sins that are hidden from God.  Verse twenty-three continues, If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.  So, as stated, if you have ears, may you hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.  Verse twenty-four states, And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.  As Mark tells us, we do need to take heed of what we hear.  We can let the noise and lies of the world drown out the voice of God if we aren't careful.   Mark also tells us to be careful about how we treat other people.  As Christians, we are to deal honestly with other people.  If we are stingy with what God has blessed us with, we may find that God is stingy with His blessings on us.  I believe this also refers to how we forgive those who have somehow wronged us.  If we aren't forgiving of others, why do we expect God to forgive us, since we have all wronged Him at some time.  Verse twenty-five adds, For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.  To him that hath does not refer to material wealth, but to spiritual gifts.  If we have spiritual gifts, or even one spiritual gift, and use them wisely, God will bless us with more opportunities to exercise that gift or gifts.  If we don't use it, it will be taken away.  Since as Christians we all have at least one spiritual gift, then the question is whether we are using it or not.  We cannot attempt to make this about material wealth, believing that if God has blessed us materially that He is going to bless us with more while taking away from those who have less.  If we want to have more spiritually, it begins by accepting God's gift of salvation through putting one's faith in Jesus Christ.  If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, then be generous in using your spiritual gift or gifts.