Pearls before swine
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”
Matthew 7:6
In this life, God blesses us with innumerous gifts.
These gifts take many forms, including: health, joy, and the loved ones we share our lives with.
Among these gifts, two of the most significant are our time and our thoughts. With these two gifts, we determine the priorities and courses of our lives.
As Peter tells us, a life is comparable to a flower that quickly fades away. Time is one of the most-precious commodities given to us, and one that is ever slipping from our grasp.
With this in mind, it is essential that we learn to value the gift of time God has given us, and spend it wisely. What and who we choose to devote our time to ultimately determines the nature of our lives.
If we spend more time making peace, and surrounded by those we love, then our lives are also peaceful and loving. If we spend our time in strife, gossip, and petty arguments then we have lives of petty strife.
In similar fashion, our thoughts, too, determine the course of our lives.
Christ makes this abundantly clear when telling us that where our treasure is, our heart is also. If we devote our time to thoughts of bitterness, old grudges, and past hurts, then we find ourselves gravitating to bitterness and pain. Our lives becomes painful and bitter.
If instead we follow the advice of Philippians 4 and focus our thoughts on everything good and pure, our lives will also be led to goodness and purity.
In understanding the value of these gifts, we can better understand the warning given to us in Matthew 7:6.
When we cast the pearls of our thoughts and time upon the swine of worry and bitterness, not only are the gifts wasted, but we are led into greater suffering as well. Indeed, our time, and the thoughts of our hearts are holy gifts that should be offered in dedication to our loving Savior Jesus Christ.
As we devote more of our time and thoughts to God and His love, the more we will find our lives to be godly and filled with love.
Jason Shockley is an evangelist and teacher. Facebook @simplemessagelife. Email: jrshockley25@gmail.com