One of the better writers and best preachers I know I affectionately refer to as either “Doc” or “Davis.” Early on his voracious appetite for reading helped impress on me the need for continued learning. Here he offers insight for those of us who run too far ahead of those we travel with thinking, “they just don’t get it.” Also, reflective of the need to always be self-critical. I once read a book titled, Pew Rights. The author, I cannot recall as I am not in my office, took many more pages to say much the same thing.
Pearls and Pigs
How insulting is it to be called a pig and told you are unworthy to receive something of value? Pretty bad stuff.
I think pigs are cool. They can do dirty but love clean. They are among the smartest of animals. Pigs are cool.
The admonition Jesus gives in Matthew 7:6 about pearls and pigs has been around so long now it is virtually proverbial in stature. What it means is, “Know the level of your hearers.”
I wonder if I do. I wonder if my snap judgments about what people need or my censoring mechanisms or my offering/removal of approval (death to one addicted to affirmation) just pushes pearls before a group unready to ingest them. Then they turn on the messenger because, well, he is at least edible.
Don’t give even good things to persons unready to digest them. Pearls don’t go with pigs even as cool as pigs can be.
They say its lonely at the top. The same might be said for the front.
They say it is lonely at the top. The same might be said for the front.