From: Su Min
========== 29 October 1996
Dear brother MKL
I will try to explain:....
my idea was to use a modern day simile which the average Singaporean could relate to....
but I must have skipped a line or two...
so here we go again, with a bit more detail
so precious is the kingdom of heaven, so desirable it is, that a man who wants it will do everything he can
to acquire it. A good condominium apartment is a target of desire that Singaporeans can relate to. Price
high, never mind. They will still buy, even though it costs them every cent they can afford.
get it?
like the sower who was sowing seeds that landed on 4 different areas.
and the seed that fell on the path was taken away by the birds.
some seeds fell on shallow soil. they sprout but can not send down their roots to gather water. The sun
comes up and they wither away. so too: the word of God falls on the ears of some who will listen
superficially.
and the seeds that fell amongst the thorns started well: but as the plants grew they were strangled by the
thorns: so too they that hear The Word and pay attention, but later get distracted by worldly things,
strangled by wealth, corruption: they fail to contribute to the kingdom..
this speaks of people like you Brother MKL: you have heard The Word: you accept: you grow in faith: you
send your roots deep down to draw on the living water: you feed daily on the Bread of Life: you reach
maturity and bear fruit of the spirit: you tell the good news and draw others to the kingdom. the one
person that brought you to Christ will see you bring 30, 60 100 and more to the throne of grace. Amen!
One day we all will stand before the great white throne. Time is up. Pens down. Examination over.
If we have been self centred. spent our life worshipping earthly gods, pursuing money, wealth, power,
gossip, grumbling, we will not pass the exam. Fail, Big red duck's e.g. Zero marks. We will not be
allowed to enter the kingdom. Gathered with the goats: gathered with the rotten fish to be thrown away.
gathered with the withered branches to be cast into the outer darkness where there will be eternal wailing
and gnashing of teeth, gathered to be thrown on the eternal fire where torment will never cease.
I pray that this is a bit clearer, Brother MKL.
grace love and peace
Su Min
Subject: Re: RE>Three Modern Parables
> RE>Three Modern Parables 10/28/96
>Su Min:
>
>I don't get the meanings of your parables?????
>
>brother MKL
>------------------------------
>Date: 10/27/96 5:21 PM
>From: Su Min
>Subject: Three Modern Parables
>a contemporary presentation
>
>1) Parable of The Condominium
>2) Parable of The Investment Company
>3) Parable of The School Final End Of Year Examinations
>1) Parable of The Condominium
>The kingdom of heaven is like a classy condominium that an office worker
>greatly desires: It is in a prime residential area, with sophisticated
>neighbours, 3600 square feet, built in cupboards, marble floor, solid gold
>fittings in the bathrooms, private jacuzzi, a covered car park, an olympic
>sized swimming pool and an attached 18 hole golf course. It will cost many
>many million dollars: more that 40 years of his total income: He mortgages
>himself to the eyeballs, takes bank loans, sells everything he has, and
>buys that classy condominium.
The kingdom of God is a precious possession like that, MKL. Greatly treasured, expensive to purchase: It
requires you to give up all your worldly desires...
>
>2) Parable of The Investment Company
>The kingdom of heaven is like an investment company where there are four
>investment officers.
>
>The first investment officer places a quarter of a million dollars
>investment in a project in Bonga Bonga Land. It is a criminal fraudster's
>scheme and all is swindled, all is lost.
Some peoples hearts are stony hard.
The word of God falls upon it:
the message of repentance and reconciliation.
But they will not hear. The seed has no chance to sprout. the devil comes to take it away. One soul lost
forever.....
>The second investment officer places a quarter of a million dollars investment
>in a small grocery store. The town is small. Overheads are low. There is
>trade: the people are pleasant: But business turnover is too low and the
>store has to fold after a year.
Because they will not mature, their joy is short lived. as soon as trouble or persecution comes, they wither
away.
>The third investment officer places a quarter of a million dollars
>investment in a farm on a tropical island. The weather is good, the soil
>is fertile and good crops are reaped. But the politicians are corrupt, and
>demand too much in invisible taxes. The farm goes bankrupt.
>The fourth investment officer places a quarter of a million dollars
>investment in a computer chip factory. The demand is good and the government
>honest. The investment reaps profits 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold.
> 3) Parable of The School Final End Of Year Examinations
>The kingdom of heaven is like a school final end of year examination.
>
>Students who have been lazy, not studying, copying homework and cheating
>during class tests will not pass the school final end of year examination.
>They will fail and will be dismissed from school.
>
>Students who have been diligent, studying regularly the whole year through,
>doing their own homework, preparing their own assignments, will do well for
>the school final end of year examinations.
>
>They will pass the examination and will be admitted to the next year of study.
If we have passed the exams, if we have been true to the faith, may God let us hear these words "Well
done thy good and faithful servant. enter into your master's joy".
>SUMMATION
>Those who have ears, let them hear!
For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min
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