Today, Scriptures are shared as counsel to a writer who was asked to relinquish a family heirloom Bible that he has purchased. In stating the dilemma, the personal and spiritual value of the Bible was not addressed; and the new owner is uncertain how to respond to the possibility of legitimate claims by the heirs. Even within ones home and family circle, when the holy writings are treated as private property or something costly, precious, a relic, and untouchable, the Bible may become another idol and source of spiritual confusion. Superstition and occult belief become attached to the Scriptures when commitment to acquire sacred knowledge is not supported by fellowship with experienced believers, observing sacraments, prayer, and careful application of study. A “Yahoo! Answers” member using the ID “jeremy” (Level 1 with 88 points, enrolled February 16, 2015) posted the following:
Should I return the old bible to the descendants?
I bought an old bible. Through genealogies and online ancestry information, I found the descendants. I contacted her and told her I can scan the genealogies pages and send to her because I think her familly members might be interested in their early ancestors. However, now she is asking for the actual bible. What should I do? I am not willing to give this bible or sell it to her. How to respond? Does she has legal right to claim this bible? The bible is almost 200 years old.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (Matthew 21: 33-44, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Nature of Scripture (03/27/2014); Divine Sleep (03/28/2014); Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013); GOD Speaking Through Songs? (11/01/2013); The Bible and Genealogy (09/10/2013); Why GOD Does Not Tell All (09/11/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Issues for Children’s Church? (04/06/2013); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)
“jeremy”, I heard your question as, Should I change my attitude, behavior, intent and purpose? For you that Bible appears to be a snare: something secular to be coveted and desired, merchandise, and another person’s inheritance. Here are a few things that also should be weighed in the balance that are still being shared with those that desire salvation from GOD, and will undergo permanent change and transformation:
(1.) Matthew 6: 19-21, KJV: 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(2.) Luke 14: 25-27, KJV: 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(3.) Luke 3: 7-9, KJV: 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(4.) Ezekiel 14: 19-21 KJV: 19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: 20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. 21 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?
(5.) Proverbs 20: 20-22, KJV: 20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. 21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. For example, (6.) Matthew 7: 12, KJV: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Also, Romans 13: 7-10, KJV: 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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