16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. (Luke 8:16-18 KJV)
A Lamp Under a Jar
Jesus also gives important instructions to those who preach and those who hear. Those who receive truth must share it. Ministers and believers alike are like lit candles—they must not hide their light but shine it for others (Luke 8:16). God’s people are meant to be lights in the world, doing good and proclaiming truth.
What is hidden now will be revealed later (Luke 8:17). What God gives us privately, we must share publicly. If we don’t, it may be revealed as a failure to use his gifts faithfully.
Our gifts will either increase or be taken away depending on how we use them. Those who make good use of what they’ve received will be given more. Those who do not will lose even what they seem to have (Luke 8:18; cf. Mark 4:25). True grace endures; what’s lost was never real to begin with (1 John 2:19).