samedi, mars 12, 2005

My Paraphrase

Paraphrase of Matthew 6:19-25; Luke 12:33-34; 11:34-36; 16.13

Do not be deceived: security and personal fulfillment is not found in your assets and success. Do not become consumed with amassing investments here on earth, where stock markets crash, homes burn to the ground and luxury vehicles get stolen. Hummers and Street of Dreams homes do not bring lasting joy; stocks and bonds cannot save your soul.
Develop your heavenly portfolio, where all your investments remain secure and safe forever, bringing you a great return. For wherever you invest the most is where you set your heart and mind. We all know people who chase the proverbial carrot on the stick, seeking wealth in get rich quick schemes. Do not be hoodwinked: keep a level head and your line of sight clear.
What you see is what you get. If you close your eyes to the beauty around you and focus only on the fluctuating digits of your bank account balance you live in dismal darkness. The glimmer from your hoarded gold is no light at all. In the end you will discover your wealth is nothing more than a fool’s gold. A heart and mind consumed with monetary gain and material acquisition is like a dark, damp and cold basement. Only eyes open wide in wonder, beholding how birds and grass alike grow and flourish without so much as a bead of sweat, let pure sunshine into the soul.
Simply live: live simply. Liquidate your assets, throw a party and invite the poor. Give it all away! Houses age and dilapidate, Lexus’ rust and die. Invest in others and their needs and so expand your heavenly investments. Free yourself from the curse of greed and materialism. Your great supply may be at the expense of another’s basic needs. So give it back and so find what it means to truly live. True happiness is rooted beyond the temporary but finds expression in the ordinary. For what you value is where your heart and mind are.
Think of it this way: you cannot be a Toronto Maple Leafs fan and Montreal Canadians fan at the same time. For you will hate one (and hate is not too strong of a word) and love the other. You will be devoted to one (accessorizing your home with team paraphernalia) and despise the other. Now, in the same way you cannot serve both God and money.

I had to pick a parable or story of Jesus and do a paraphrase of it so that it would be more understandable for my contemporary's. I hope I did it justice and don't end up burnt at the stake. Jer
Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 10:22 a.m. :: 1 comments

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