Can it be both ways?
No, it is one way ...only many ways to look at it.
One way to correctly quote ...I mean, with genuine sincerity. But, let's first go another route in making a point before I clarify what I mean here:
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Let's take the purely elite, with a wellspring of wealth ...seemingly not exerting any effort towards doing anything, but having everyone do everything for them.
Yes, that means they have servants ...to wait on them, while they don't wait patiently, but expect to be served hand and foot, the livelong day.
While most of us common folk work to keep our lawns trimmed (or just let it go), Rich has servants to maintain his grounds. His flowers are the most spectacular, and without fail his vegetables are prize winners. He has another additional crew to assure his coveted gardens are second to none ...and as he strolls through the seasons in his lush orchards, his worker's prepare, prune, and pick --from spring through autumn --while also preparing preserves for the long winter months.
What do you think of this man?
Many of you have already found yourself disliking him, primarily for two reasons:
- He is wealthy
- He has servants
Some of you may prejudge him, or have to admit you are prejudice. After all, he does seem to fit a certain stereotype. And some of you may say you more than merely dislike him ...you hate him, and I will give you a reason why maybe you would justify that feeling.
Rich (screaming at his servant): "We are going to have guests tonight ...where did this grain of sand come from? I told you to clean the table! You know this is cause for dismissal!"
Servant: "In all due respect, Sir, you asked where the grain of sand came from. Well, it wasn't there a minute ago, so we could assume many different things to lead us to an understanding of where the grain of sand came from. But, the most logical would be to assume that when you came from outside by opening the door ...that you caused such a stir, as you always do."
Rich: " A servant does not speak in that fashion!"
Servant: "I figured you'd take what I say with a grain of salt. So now, we have a grain of sand and a grain of salt. What do you suggest we do with that?"
Rich: "I suggest you leave. You have given more than cause to dismiss you. I will not tolerate such insubordination!"
Servant: "Okay, but remember, I am the oldest and have been serving you the longest."
Rich: "Do you feel that entitles you to such disrespect?"
Servant: "No, it just means that I am father to all the rest of your servants ...and they will follow me if I leave. Now, on this note of disrespect that you've mentioned, with your privileged education, I believe they've failed to teach you the definition of respect."
Rich: "Respect has to be earned!"
Servant: "And you feel you've earned it?"
Rich: "Of course I've earned it ...a man of my position!"
Servant: "But, if you feel I should respect you, by your own words you said it has to be earned."
Rich: "You don't feel I deserve your respect?"
Servant: "I feel you should have it, I just don't think you've earned it. I respect you because I feel I should. I am just respectfully disagreeing with you."
Rich: "Disagreeing with me about what?"
Servant: "That grain of sand."
Rich: "Since I've already dismissed you, I will gladly remove it myself!"
Servant: "You could have gladly done that without dismissing me, but now perhaps you'd like me to leave ...and that privileged grain of sand to stay. It seems that more than ever you may need that grain of sand."
Rich: "Have you gone mad! What are you talking about?"
Servant: "That grain of sand gives you cause for your anger. But, that grain of sand does not cause you to address your anger, nor does it challenge you in any other way."
Rich: "You have gone mad!"
Servant: "On many occasions you've boasted loudly to your guests that you don't believe in God, so you should feel privileged to have that grain of sand. Yet, really it doesn't matter whether it is a grain of sand, a speck of dust, or merely energy. The energy needed to fuel any of your arguments does not depend upon truth, just an overabundance of support. And in your case ...money. Consider your own belief in evolution with it's survival of the fittest ...it doesn't matter whether you dictate everything that goes on here or whether I do. I could take over everything you have right now, and all the servants would follow me."
Rich: "You would dare challenge a man of my position!"
Servant: "Suppose your position quickly becomes flat on your back? I could lay you out ...and you'd be laid up for some time. I could just pretend that you are ill ...since you rarely go out anyway."
Rich: "That is absurd ...the law would catch up with you!"
Servant: "With survival of the fittest, or evolution, there is no law, neither is there any right or wrong to define any laws."
Rich: "Laws exist because good people make laws ...and we have laws you'll have to answer to."
Servant: "Like in those many Communist countries? They have to answer to their leaders. Or how about the goodness of ISIS or even a modest Shariah law, does it benefit everyone?"
Rich: "I said good people!"
Servant: "You can't define good if you can't define right or wrong. And what may seem good to one person may not be good to another."
Rich: "Everybody would agree that what I have here is good."
Servant: "Oh, yes, I would agree ...but what if I felt it was substantially more good if I had it and you were my servant?"
Rich: "You've gone mad ...and you'll never get away with it!"
Servant: "I don't want to ...I'm happy serving you. I just wanted to make a point."
Rich: "You've made a point of making me mad!!"
Servant: "Sorry, it was not my intent ...it's just that though I'm happy to serve you, I also serve another who compels me to tell you certain truths."
Rich: "Truths about your God?"
Servant: "Yes, I'm happy to serve you ...but it would not serve you well to not be receptive to God's truth. And it would not make me happy to see you denied eternity with Him because of your pompous pride and denial of Jesus."
Rich: "What does this have to do with that grain of sand!"
Servant: "Well, you don't have to accept a grain of truth about what I'm saying, unless what I'm saying is true ...then by not accepting it, you're not accepting the gift of eternity with Him."
Rich: "I am a relatively moral man, and I'm not usually as condescending unless I'm provoked to be so."
Servant: "Well, that is a matter of opinion ...yet, morality is only a result of obedience to our Creator, not really dealing with our failure to be so. That is the job of forgiveness ...when it is desired to be employed."
Rich: "Okay, wise servant ...what is it that I should do."
Servant: "First, perhaps you should get rid of that grain of sand ...along with any idea that tries to convince you that imagining something small enough is no cause for concern. Neither you nor I can deny that the grain exists ...but, we would both agree that it didn't always exist. It wasn't there when I cleaned the table."
Rich: "Neither did the table it rests upon always exist ...so, yes, everything has a beginning."
Servant: "No, that is not true. Something had to be there always ...from which everything else came from. It may only appear easier for some if they make that something small enough, with no assigned value."
Rich: "What do you mean?"
Servant: "Many people seem to think the Bible is too far-fetched, yet they believe more difficult things ...so I truly believe it's not that they can't believe it, but they don't want to believe the Bible."
Rich: "And why do you think that is?"
Servant: "Because they have been deceived into thinking what they would be expected to give up is of greater value than what they would gain ...I guess, but truly I don't know."
Rich (picking up the grain of sand): "There ...now what have I gained?"
Servant: "Do you believe life can come from what you hold in your hand, or by the energy you possess in holding it? Or do you think life can only be created by more than simple matter and energy ...both of which cannot, in themselves, even be understood to exist?"
Rich: "I don't know ...it's all too deep for me."
Servant: "And darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved ...that is from the beginning of the Bible. It's too deep for me too ...but the Spirit of God has moved me to believe it's true. It was not because I wanted to believe it. To be honest, the Book of Philemon, in particular, was at first difficult for me ...it was the first Book that I read."
Rich: "Why would that be?"
Servant: "I was named after a servant in the Bible. And you call all of us 'Servant' ...as if you find it difficult to remember names. Yet, you can remember the name of not only all of your wealthy guests, but also their wives names ...and all the names of their children. Do you know why that is?"
Rich: "Why?"
Servant: "Because you make an extra effort with those you value. Do you even remember my name ...the name of your longest loyal servant?"
Rich: "You are right, I can't remember your name ...because I never say it ...I always call you Servant."
Servant: "My family calls me Uncle Si ...which is short for Simus, but my true full name is Onesimus ...just like in the Bible."
Rich: "Okay, Simus ...let's get back to the grain of sand. Why is it that I need it?"
Simus: "You don't."
Rich: "You said I did."
Simus: "No, you only think you do. It's only value is in deceit. If you don't truly value deceit, which I believe is the case for most people, then the grain of sand is not needed. With the grain of sand, you can live without guilt and treat me like dirt ...so those who want to defend wrong actions prefer an impersonal grain of sand to a very personal God."
Rich: "Okay, Uncle Si ...you've been a part of the family for so many years, I wasn't really looking forward to you going. And maybe I should take a closer and less threatening look at this other family you speak of ...the family of God. I realize that evolution gives us no ground to stand on ...only an excuse to not believe in that which has true value. Will you forgive me, Simus?"
Simus: "I already have ... yet, I was more concerned that you realize that through sending His Son to the cross, God has already forgiven you also, if you are willing to accept it."
Rich: "And if I don't accept it?"
Simus: "You will be dismissed from His presence, as you were about to do to me. Do you get my point?"
Rich: "I think I should ask you to forgive me ...but, more importantly, perhaps I should accept His invitation as graciously as my guests tonight have accepted mine."
Simus: "I'm so happy to hear that."
Rich: "One more thing ...I'd like you to set one more setting at the table tonight. I want you to sit at our table, and I will do the serving before I sit down to join our guests."
Simus: "There is no need for that."
Rich: "I think there is ...and I would be honored to do so. Wouldn't I also be serving Him? And you wouldn't want to deny me that privilege."
Rich: "I suggest you leave. You have given more than cause to dismiss you. I will not tolerate such insubordination!"
Servant: "Okay, but remember, I am the oldest and have been serving you the longest."
Rich: "Do you feel that entitles you to such disrespect?"
Servant: "No, it just means that I am father to all the rest of your servants ...and they will follow me if I leave. Now, on this note of disrespect that you've mentioned, with your privileged education, I believe they've failed to teach you the definition of respect."
Rich: "Respect has to be earned!"
Servant: "And you feel you've earned it?"
Rich: "Of course I've earned it ...a man of my position!"
Servant: "But, if you feel I should respect you, by your own words you said it has to be earned."
Rich: "You don't feel I deserve your respect?"
Servant: "I feel you should have it, I just don't think you've earned it. I respect you because I feel I should. I am just respectfully disagreeing with you."
Rich: "Disagreeing with me about what?"
Servant: "That grain of sand."
Rich: "Since I've already dismissed you, I will gladly remove it myself!"
Servant: "You could have gladly done that without dismissing me, but now perhaps you'd like me to leave ...and that privileged grain of sand to stay. It seems that more than ever you may need that grain of sand."
Rich: "Have you gone mad! What are you talking about?"
Servant: "That grain of sand gives you cause for your anger. But, that grain of sand does not cause you to address your anger, nor does it challenge you in any other way."
Rich: "You have gone mad!"
Servant: "On many occasions you've boasted loudly to your guests that you don't believe in God, so you should feel privileged to have that grain of sand. Yet, really it doesn't matter whether it is a grain of sand, a speck of dust, or merely energy. The energy needed to fuel any of your arguments does not depend upon truth, just an overabundance of support. And in your case ...money. Consider your own belief in evolution with it's survival of the fittest ...it doesn't matter whether you dictate everything that goes on here or whether I do. I could take over everything you have right now, and all the servants would follow me."
Rich: "You would dare challenge a man of my position!"
Servant: "Suppose your position quickly becomes flat on your back? I could lay you out ...and you'd be laid up for some time. I could just pretend that you are ill ...since you rarely go out anyway."
Rich: "That is absurd ...the law would catch up with you!"
Servant: "With survival of the fittest, or evolution, there is no law, neither is there any right or wrong to define any laws."
Rich: "Laws exist because good people make laws ...and we have laws you'll have to answer to."
Servant: "Like in those many Communist countries? They have to answer to their leaders. Or how about the goodness of ISIS or even a modest Shariah law, does it benefit everyone?"
Rich: "I said good people!"
Servant: "You can't define good if you can't define right or wrong. And what may seem good to one person may not be good to another."
Rich: "Everybody would agree that what I have here is good."
Servant: "Oh, yes, I would agree ...but what if I felt it was substantially more good if I had it and you were my servant?"
Rich: "You've gone mad ...and you'll never get away with it!"
Servant: "I don't want to ...I'm happy serving you. I just wanted to make a point."
Rich: "You've made a point of making me mad!!"
Servant: "Sorry, it was not my intent ...it's just that though I'm happy to serve you, I also serve another who compels me to tell you certain truths."
Rich: "Truths about your God?"
Servant: "Yes, I'm happy to serve you ...but it would not serve you well to not be receptive to God's truth. And it would not make me happy to see you denied eternity with Him because of your pompous pride and denial of Jesus."
Rich: "What does this have to do with that grain of sand!"
Servant: "Well, you don't have to accept a grain of truth about what I'm saying, unless what I'm saying is true ...then by not accepting it, you're not accepting the gift of eternity with Him."
Rich: "I am a relatively moral man, and I'm not usually as condescending unless I'm provoked to be so."
Servant: "Well, that is a matter of opinion ...yet, morality is only a result of obedience to our Creator, not really dealing with our failure to be so. That is the job of forgiveness ...when it is desired to be employed."
Rich: "Okay, wise servant ...what is it that I should do."
Servant: "First, perhaps you should get rid of that grain of sand ...along with any idea that tries to convince you that imagining something small enough is no cause for concern. Neither you nor I can deny that the grain exists ...but, we would both agree that it didn't always exist. It wasn't there when I cleaned the table."
Rich: "Neither did the table it rests upon always exist ...so, yes, everything has a beginning."
Servant: "No, that is not true. Something had to be there always ...from which everything else came from. It may only appear easier for some if they make that something small enough, with no assigned value."
Rich: "What do you mean?"
Servant: "Many people seem to think the Bible is too far-fetched, yet they believe more difficult things ...so I truly believe it's not that they can't believe it, but they don't want to believe the Bible."
Rich: "And why do you think that is?"
Servant: "Because they have been deceived into thinking what they would be expected to give up is of greater value than what they would gain ...I guess, but truly I don't know."
Rich (picking up the grain of sand): "There ...now what have I gained?"
Servant: "Do you believe life can come from what you hold in your hand, or by the energy you possess in holding it? Or do you think life can only be created by more than simple matter and energy ...both of which cannot, in themselves, even be understood to exist?"
Rich: "I don't know ...it's all too deep for me."
Servant: "And darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved ...that is from the beginning of the Bible. It's too deep for me too ...but the Spirit of God has moved me to believe it's true. It was not because I wanted to believe it. To be honest, the Book of Philemon, in particular, was at first difficult for me ...it was the first Book that I read."
Rich: "Why would that be?"
Servant: "I was named after a servant in the Bible. And you call all of us 'Servant' ...as if you find it difficult to remember names. Yet, you can remember the name of not only all of your wealthy guests, but also their wives names ...and all the names of their children. Do you know why that is?"
Rich: "Why?"
Servant: "Because you make an extra effort with those you value. Do you even remember my name ...the name of your longest loyal servant?"
Rich: "You are right, I can't remember your name ...because I never say it ...I always call you Servant."
Servant: "My family calls me Uncle Si ...which is short for Simus, but my true full name is Onesimus ...just like in the Bible."
Rich: "Okay, Simus ...let's get back to the grain of sand. Why is it that I need it?"
Simus: "You don't."
Rich: "You said I did."
Simus: "No, you only think you do. It's only value is in deceit. If you don't truly value deceit, which I believe is the case for most people, then the grain of sand is not needed. With the grain of sand, you can live without guilt and treat me like dirt ...so those who want to defend wrong actions prefer an impersonal grain of sand to a very personal God."
Rich: "Okay, Uncle Si ...you've been a part of the family for so many years, I wasn't really looking forward to you going. And maybe I should take a closer and less threatening look at this other family you speak of ...the family of God. I realize that evolution gives us no ground to stand on ...only an excuse to not believe in that which has true value. Will you forgive me, Simus?"
Simus: "I already have ... yet, I was more concerned that you realize that through sending His Son to the cross, God has already forgiven you also, if you are willing to accept it."
Rich: "And if I don't accept it?"
Simus: "You will be dismissed from His presence, as you were about to do to me. Do you get my point?"
Rich: "I think I should ask you to forgive me ...but, more importantly, perhaps I should accept His invitation as graciously as my guests tonight have accepted mine."
Simus: "I'm so happy to hear that."
Rich: "One more thing ...I'd like you to set one more setting at the table tonight. I want you to sit at our table, and I will do the serving before I sit down to join our guests."
Simus: "There is no need for that."
Rich: "I think there is ...and I would be honored to do so. Wouldn't I also be serving Him? And you wouldn't want to deny me that privilege."
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