[Jesus speaking]
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭26‬-‭27‬
[Jesus speaking]
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

I have had many conversations about life with people lately. These underlying questions must be answered well to have a successful life: How did I get here? Why am I here? What is my purpose for being here?

Life gets going fast, challenges come, and the important questions in life can be sacrificed at the altars of “just a little bit more” or “when my life slows down”.

“A little more money”, and “a little bigger house”, and “a bigger title or promotion” are all reasons people ignore or don’t focus on life’s important questions. And mixed-in business and hurry take the place of peace and joy in life.

Answering these big-picture life questions drives us to pre-plan life-mattering action and then to step back and assess our process.

Jesus is addressing this here in some interesting ways. He says, “With the measure you use it will be measured out to you, and even more.” How judgemental or gracious am I? The way I dish out judgement or grace is the way it will be dished out to me.

When we live a life only for ourselves, how can we expect that we will please God? He is gracious and forgiving, however he is also just. When my life is over and people reflect on how I lived, will I have represented Jesus Christ well in my speech and actions? Or will they see me as only a flash in the pan of life? What will my eternal impact be?

What a great big picture question is found in our parallel passage: What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Each day I must choose if I will seek after earthly treasures, personal gain, and selfishness or instead seek after the things of God: Generosity, Love, Grace, Patience and Joy to name a few.

Lord, help me to keep your big picture life plan for me in the forefront of my mind. May I work hard to provide for my family and others, and never lose sight of prioritizing up the spiritual actions you call me to!