Previously we considered the beauty of the pearls God has granted us. We are the chest in which He places His treasure.
In contrast, Paul tells the Corinthians that they are carnal & lack wisdom. Carnal Christians do not understand pearls. Pearls come through maturity and Christian maturity comes through trials & suffering.
Jesus used the example of dogs & swine when it came to those who wouldn’t know how to properly treat the pearls. Swine are smelly lazy unclean animals. They barely move but when it is time to eat, they will trample on their own young to get to the feeding trough.
The scripture says “neither cast ye” – The Greek word translated here is the word “ballo.” This is a strong command better translated: “Never cast your pearls before swine.”
It is not a suggestion but an imperative, an order, a command. Just as we are warned about false prophets, we are commanded never to cast our pearls but to guard our pearls.
We fail to guard that which has been entrusted and put our pearls at risk when:
- Jeopardising our vision by sharing with the wrong people or in the wrong time. Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers and caused jealousy & envy which resulted in a plot to get rid of him.
- Putting trust in the wrong place – Joseph trusted in his brothers. Is it wrong? It is if they are brothers outwardly and not in the heart.
- Be careful where you seek advice – The wise men seeking Jesus went to Herod- why not to someone in the synagogue such as Simeon who was watching for the Messiah?
- Unwise relationships – Solomon, for all his wisdom, strayed because of his many wives and concubines. Samson likewise had a number of ill-judged relationships.
- Evangelising in dusty places – Be sure you are Spirit led when you witness. Jesus tells us if we are not received to shake the dust of your feet. In Acts 13:51 we see Paul and Barnabas doing just that. No point in staying in dusty places.
- Poor stewardship of resources – God gives us all we need – we squander it foolishly – be it our time spent on things that do not profit or our money invested in vain possessions or unwise financial schemes.
- Deceived and distracted – beware the Sanballat & Tobias’s who will want to distract you or side-track you with petty arguments & disputes.
The pearls that God has given you is indeed precious. The key is to stay focused and vigilant – be watchful at all times. Guard those pearls.
(Photo by Tiffany Anthony on Unsplash)
Blessings,
Shirley R. Evans of Eden Cumi Ministries
(Shirley R. Evans is a gifted teacher, writer and speaker using these to great effect in local, regional and national church organisations. As one who has experienced the liberating power of God, she is keen for others to experience this same God in action via community action and getting saints to activate their Kingdom mandate.)
Life With CD 