Swine Throwing Pearls?

What are we reading? Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy. But check this out. Dallas interprets a familiar verse in a life changing way:

"Do not give to dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." Matt. 7:6

Take a second and try to interpret the verse yourself. What do you get? At first glance, all of us assumed that we should be selective in whom we choose to share our faith with. In fact, there is this sense that there are those who don't even deserve it. But does that sound like Jesus? Calling people dogs and pigs? Maybe if it were the religious people. Yet it is a warning to be selective, right?

WRONG.

Here is what Dallas says: Let us be clear once and for all that Jesus is not suggesting that certain classes of people are to be viewed as pigs of dogs. Nor is he saying that we should not give good things and do good deeds to people who might reject or misuse them. In fact, his teaching is precisely the opposite. We are to be like the Father in the heavens who is kind to the unthankful and the evil. The problem with pearls for pigs is not that the pigs are not worthy. It is not worthiness that is in question here at all, but helpfulness. Pigs cannot digest pearls, cannot nourish themselves upon them. Likewise for a dog with a Bible or a crucifix. The dog cannot eat it. The reason these animals will finally "turn and rend you" when you one day step up to them with another load of Bibles or pearls, is that YOU at least are edible. Anyone who has had serious responsibilities of caring for animals will understand immediately what Jesus is saying. And what a picture this is of our efforts to correct and control others by pouring our good things, often truly precious things, upon them--things that they nevertheless simply cannot ingest and use to nourish themselves. The point is NOT the waste of the "pearl" BUT THAT THE PERSON GIVEN THE PEARL IS NOT HELPED.

We were all amazed and dumb-founded. We could hardly speak for a few moments. We just stared at each other, open-mouthed, gripped by our own incorrect understanding of scripture. We were astonished and ashamed that we held such erroneous views of Christ's teaching. Of course this reinforces the theory that your environment helps to shape your belief. The evangelical agenda, though not entirely wrong, has blinders on, and we bought in to it. We made the scripture say what we wanted. And this verse comes right after a do-not-judge verse. How could we miss that? Ugh. I'm still reeling from it. Anyway. Take that interpretation and run with it. I believe Dallas is right on. Don't emphasize the swine, emphasize our casting the wrong thing, pushing our agenda on people. We are the swine throwing pearls.