Luke Chapter 19, Verses 12-27
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and return. And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade ye herewith till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us. And it came to pass, when he was come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants, unto whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. And the first came before him saying, Lord, thy pound hath made ten pounds more. And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant; because thou wast faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath made five pounds. And he said unto him also, Be thou over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin: for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou layest not down, and reapest that which thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant, Thou knowest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid down, and reaping that which I did not sow; then wherefore gavest thou not my money into the bank, and I at my coming should have required it with interest? And he said unto them that stood by, Take away from him the pound, and give it unto him that hath ten pounds. And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. I say unto you, that every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. But these mine enemies, that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
There seems to be a lot written about what this parable means, but these are all interpretations of MEN.
And men, screw up.
And Christians too have screwed up in their interpretation, frequently, over the centuries - using this and many other verses within the Bible to justify all manner of atrocities against people.
This conflict is not about religion, it is about people with evil, malicious intent to destroy others -- predictably using religion as a weapon, again, as has happened to frequently in human history.
Your harrangue is not about this conflict, yet you use it as a soapbox for your own fears and paranoia. And your tirade is so completely one sided that everything you say is left suspect. Nothing in this complex world is one sided!
What's worse, your 'holier than thou' attitiude is so striking Emile that it seems impossible to believe that you, yourself, have not lost your own way. I've not "talked" with one so consumed with hate in a while. You don't exhibit any of the Christian traits that I have come to know and respect in my friends of faith. It truly seems as if you have lost your way.
'Cast not the first stone'...
Emile, look deep inside if you can, carefully and honestly. Maybe shutting off that darn computer of yours for awhile will help. |
