Saying 41: To Whoever Has, More Will Be Given
Whoever has something in hand will be given more; whoever has nothing will lose even the little they have.
Commentary
Harsh in every version. In Thomas the currency is understanding rather than money or talents, which makes the arithmetic feel less like injustice and more like a description of how insight compounds.
Parallels
Mark 4:25; Matthew 13:12; Matthew 25:29; Luke 19:26
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 81 Saying 81: Let the Powerful Renounce Let whoever has become rich reign, and let whoever has power renounce it.
- Saying 76 Saying 76: The Pearl and the Treasure A merchant with a load of goods found a pearl, sold the lot and bought the pearl. Look for the treasure that…
- Saying 29 Saying 29: Spirit Dwelling in Poverty If flesh came into being because of spirit that is a marvel; if spirit because of the body, a marvel of marvels.…
- Saying 64 Saying 64: The Great Banquet A man invited guests to dinner; every one of them had business to attend to — debts to collect, a house to…
- Saying 63 Saying 63: The Rich Fool A rich man planned to invest his money, sow, reap and fill his barns so he would lack nothing — and died…
- Saying 110 Saying 110: Finding the World and Renouncing It Whoever has found the world and become rich should renounce the world.