Narrow Vantage |
| Posted by Mark (mark) on Aug 09 2008 |
A master told a parable to his students:
Three pastors walked down a city street one day, conversing theologically and debating the finer points of ministry. They eventually happened upon a homeless man begging for change. He was layered in rags and smelt of rotting sewage. Holding out greasy hands he looked hopefully at the three men.
The first and youngest pastor quickly retrieved a few coins from his pocket and handed them to the man, then turned to his companions and said, “In my experience a little love can go a long way. And we know what the gospel has to say on the subject.”
A whimsical scoff briefly crossed the second pastor’s face, “In MY experience,” he said with an air that expertly denoted his seniority, “Giving money to a drunk will only enable his self-destruction, and is not loving at all.” Passing by he benevolently refused to give the man anything.
The third and most senior pastor chuckled at the second, easily communicating he had something to teach them, “Do you not help those who are sent to you?” A friendly wink was shot toward the second pastor, “Giving him change may not help him, but passing by does not either.” Turning to the beggar he smiled, “Here you are my friend,” and handed him a business card. His two friends looking perplexed, he explained, “My church has just opened a shelter for people like him. We feed and clothe them and help them get jobs.” The others nodded and they all continued their stroll.
Afterwards the master queried his students, “Now, which pastor was correct?”
The students hummed and hawed but none ventured a definitive answer, so the master spoke once more, “Some might say the one who gave him change. After all, a hungry man asked for help and he gave it.” Murmurs of ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ broke out. “But then others might say the second, for any who have encountered addiction know enabling it is often the worst thing you can do.” More murmuring ran through the group. “And what of the most experienced pastor? Maybe he was right. Give a man a fish, and feed him for a day; but teach him how to fish and he’ll stop begging for your hard earned fish...er...you’ll feed him for life.” Silence befell the group and perplexed looks abounded.
Finally one student spoke, “I don’t get it? What’s the right answer?”
The master smiled, “Therein lies your problem. You think there is a right answer.”
Already quizzical faces contorted wildly and emitted loud guffaws of consternation. Chuckling the master continued, “Don’t you see? They all loved him out of their current revelation, but you’re too busy looking for formulas rather than relationship; and it doesn’t work that way. If you live by the letter of the law, you will always judge in the narrowness of your experience. But! if you live relationship, and learn to live love—the spirit of the law—you will begin to live in the largeness of your heavenly Father. And you will begin to release judgment from your hands—but, when you do judge, it will be in the largeness of Him, rather than the narrowness of you.”
Last changed: Aug 09 2008 at 8:38 PM
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