“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 13:33 ESV)
Leaven
This woman hides her valuable leaven in an unusual way. She does not place the leaven in a sealed crockpot, so that it will remain useful. Instead, she USES it. She realizes that the value of the leaven is in leavening, not merely existing.
The same can be true with any treasure that the Lord has placed in our stewardship. Money, land, relationships, talents, and time ALL are best preserved by using them. Not hoarding them.
And even forgiveness.
We have been given the free gospel gift of forgiveness.
The BEST, maybe the only, way to make use of it is to forgive others. In the same way WE were given that gift. Unconditionally. Joyfully. Often. Repeatedly. Purposefully. Eagerly. Even sacrificially.
Just like leaven, using forgiveness like THAT will make the bread of life rise!