Undeserving or swine?

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

Not preaching today saints. Just wanted to share something that dawned on me recently.

In Matthew 7:6 when the Lord admonished us not to cast our pearls before pigs, was He differentiating between the undeserving and the ungrateful? Undeserving could simply be freeloaders, scammers, gold diggers etc, but the ungrateful (like Satan, a former Archangel) would actually take our generosity to try and harm us. A loose example would be a lazy ally vs a terrorist. Lazy allies are irresponsible while terrorists are destructive. So, should we be generous to the undeserving (Luke 6:30-36) while avoiding the ungrateful?

Just to be clear, I'm inviting feedback not necessarily about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven (which we're aware of) but charity (something more practical). Let's face it, at the end of the day and after preaching the gospel we have to feed, clothe, heal, etc. All opinions are welcome.

timewerx · Jun 8, 2019

What Jesus meant by "dog" or "swine" is more specifically people who will reject the Gospel when they hear it.

"A medicine to one man is a poison to another". A reality that many Christians have a hard time accepting because they don't know a lot of things about God because they don't have time to study the Bible more carefully.

The biggest mistake of many Christians today is "sugar-coating" the Gospel. You cannot sugarcoat poison so the "dogs and the swine" will eat it. You have to change it into dog food. Essentially, if you do that, it's no longer food for you but for dogs and swine. Unsuitable for consumption.

Hence, you turn the Gospel into a false gospel.

Read Matthew 10:14. We do not hard-sell the Gospel and we should not senselessly / needlessly put ourselves in danger. Many Christians are martyred for lack of knowledge, they don't know God, they don't know the Bible enough.

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

timewerx said:
What Jesus meant by "dog" or "swine" is more specifically people who will reject the Gospel when they hear it.

"A medicine to one man is a poison to another". A reality that many Christians have a hard time accepting because they don't know a lot of things about God because they don't have time to study the Bible more carefully.

The biggest mistake of many Christians today is "sugar-coating" the Gospel. You cannot sugarcoat poison so the "dogs and the swine" will eat it. You have to change it into dog food. Essentially, if you do that, it's no longer food for you but for dogs and swine. Unsuitable for consumption.

Hence, you turn the Gospel into a false gospel.

Read Matthew 10:14. We do not hard-sell the Gospel and we should not senselessly / needlessly put ourselves in danger. Many Christians are martyred for lack of knowledge, they don't know God, they don't know the Bible enough.

That's fine, I'm aware of the context. I wanted to understand that in more practical terms as opposed to theological terms. My discussion was more about charity. Take another look the OP, re-read the scriptures in that context and let me know. Based on your input regarding salvation (none of us deserve salvation, yet the Lord saved us) , I'm assuming you're for charity to the undeserved but not to those who could harm us, which was my point.

timewerx · Jun 8, 2019

mukk_in said:
That's fine, I'm aware of the context. I wanted to understand that in more practical terms as opposed to theological terms. My discussion was more about charity. Take another look the OP, re-read the scriptures in that context and let me know. Based on your input regarding salvation, I'm assuming you're for charity to the undeserved but not to those who could harm us which was my point.

I think one way this could be seen in practical terms in charity is for example:

You give a beggar food. But the beggar took it as an insult (he would rather you give him money so he can use it to buy booze or drugs).

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

Thank you.

Rescued One · Jun 8, 2019

I pray for God to help me treat everyone as He desires ----

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

I think pearls are the words of God. If my enemy hates me, I first have be kind and win his trust. What do you think?

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

Agreed. We were also trying to understand those scriptures from a practical point of view, charity. Thank you.

Pioneer3mm · Jun 8, 2019

mukk_in said:
Not preaching today saints. Just wanted to share something that dawned on me recently.

In Matthew 7:6 when the Lord admonished us not to cast our pearls before pigs, was He differentiating between the undeserving and the ungrateful? Undeserving could simply be freeloaders, scammers, gold diggers etc, but the ungrateful (like Satan, a former Archangel) would actually take our generosity to try and harm us. A loose example would be a lazy ally vs a terrorist. Lazy allies are irresponsible while terrorists are destructive. So, should we be generous to the undeserving (Luke 6:30-36) while avoiding the ungrateful?

Just to be clear, I'm inviting feedback not necessarily about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven (which we're aware of) but charity (something more practical). Let's face it, at the end of the day and after preaching the gospel we have to feed, clothe, heal, etc. All opinions are welcome.

Good topic.
---
Some of 'charity' organizations waste their resources.
- Especially, well known charities.
---
You need more discernment and wisdom.
- When you are involved in 'charity'..nowadays.

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

Pioneer3mm said:
Good topic.
---
Some of 'charity' organizations waste their resources.
- Especially, well known charities.
---
You need more discernment and wisdom.
- When you are involved in 'charity'..nowadays.

Thank you.

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

Phoebe Ann said:
I pray for God to help me treat everyone as He desires ----

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

I think pearls are the words of God. If my enemy hates me, I first have be kind and win his trust. What do you think?

I'm sorry, I didn't answer your question. Sometimes we have to walk. Paul did (Acts 28:26-28). God sent him away from the Jews to the Gentiles. No one can receive the gospel unless the Lord has prepared them (John 6:44). Most of the time, though, what you described is true. One has to be patient and be led by the Holy Spirit. Evangelism isn't easy . Anyway, we'rs trying to discuss charity (not just money, but time, efforts, talents, etc). Peace in Christ.

timewerx · Jun 8, 2019

I suppose getting to the point, when giving charity to the needy, try to avoid giving away money.

Better to give away items like clothing, food, building materials, etc. Jesus did seem to regard food as "holy". Food which would probably be rejected by the "dogs and swine" out of their greed of money (they would rather have money instead of food).

Jesus never gave away money, although He could have. He used money instead to pay taxes and buy essential items but never gave them away directly to help people because money can easily be mismanaged or used for evil.

In keeping with Luke 16:13 and 1 Timothy 6:10. The only good use of money is to invest it and then use it to buy essential items for either personal use or to help other people. But mostly to help others.

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

I agree. Although, in Acts 4:32-35 we do see the redistribution of money (proceeds from sale or divestiture of assets. We see money being brought by Ananias and Sapphira. Of course, that was communal sharing and not personal giving). I wonder what the Master would have thought of that. For regular/monthly giving most charities accept cash than kind. Irony is people are eager for both cash and goods/materials. Yes, they're also very needy. Tricky subject.

timewerx · Jun 8, 2019

mukk_in said:
I agree. Although, in Acts 4:32-35 we do see the redistribution of money (proceeds from sale or divestiture of assets. We see money being brought by Ananias and Sapphira. Of course, that was communal sharing and not personal giving). I wonder what the Master would have thought of that. For regular/monthly giving most charities accept cash than kind. Irony is people are eager for both cash and goods/materials. Yes, they're also very needy. Tricky subject.

I think they immediately used the money to buy essential items and seems like a highly organized job.

I supposed that's ok.

But giving money directly to someone who is likely to mismanage it, probably not a good idea. Give them useful things instead.

mukk_in · Jun 8, 2019

I normally don't give money to people, only agencies/charities. Currently I'm supporting a single mom going through divorce and her children, and a young couple with a child. One is a friend here and the young couple is in India. So far, they seem to be managing the handouts well (buying capital equipment, home repairs, investing in their children, etc.). No complaints. Still, a tricky subject.

Stone-n-Steel · Jun 8, 2019

Charity also translated Love should be directed to all. This is part of being a good ambassador for Christ. Since we have limited physical resources we should use the mind of Christ and help those in need most. In Mark 5 we see Jesus helping the man possessed of a demon to then send him back to his friends. Jesus did not press the issue with the town of Jews who had a flock of pigs.

Direct personal assistance of individuals is what I get is our calling.

Halbhh · Jun 8, 2019

mukk_in said:
Not preaching today saints. Just wanted to share something that dawned on me recently.

In Matthew 7:6 when the Lord admonished us not to cast our pearls before pigs, was He differentiating between the undeserving and the ungrateful? Undeserving could simply be freeloaders, scammers, gold diggers etc, but the ungrateful (like Satan, a former Archangel) would actually take our generosity to try and harm us. A loose example would be a lazy ally vs a terrorist. Lazy allies are irresponsible while terrorists are destructive. So, should we be generous to the undeserving (Luke 6:30-36) while avoiding the ungrateful?

Just to be clear, I'm inviting feedback not necessarily about the secrets of the kingdom of heaven (which we're aware of) but charity (something more practical). Let's face it, at the end of the day and after preaching the gospel we have to feed, clothe, heal, etc. All opinions are welcome.

Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

I've always taken this just as it is worded: not to share your pearls -- your own personal precious treasures that no one else has, and that are precious to you, with those that are scoffers and mockers and such types.

Of course the Gospel -- the Good News -- we are commanded to preach to all mankind, meaning of course all.

Clearly our pearl, which is ours individually, isn't the Good News that that properly belongs to all mankind that would hear it.

A person's personal, unique precious things might include for example dreams, visions, feeling a message form God, or even a deep and profound realization about a scripture verse that become very precious to you, I think.

For example: I have a vision I've shared only with 1 person on Earth so far, that person being trustable to share it with. There are more individuals I could share it with, and over time I expect to. But I will never share it in an internet forum open to even anti-Christians I expect, because it is personally precious, it is my own 'pearl' and I'm to be cautious with whom I share it.

Undeserving or swine?

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