Looking lens

Today’s post will be a bit controversial, not because of what I say, but because of where I get my information. You see, there are many who believe that only the King James Bible is the only place to get your information for Christianity. But what most of those people do not realize is that the King James Bible they read is vastly different than the original KJV. Along the way, the British and Foreign Bible Society deemed some of the books to be too deep for ‘regular’ people. The decision was also economical: adding the Apocrypha would cost money, and, well, that part of the Bible was not as important. But to a Jew, those books were part of the Bible.

My problem with today’s church society in relation to this is that the Jewish people, according to Paul, were the ones entrusted with the Word of God. Those words were important.

So, rant over, now to my post.

This verse comes directly from one of those books that was eliminated in that economic decision. Today’s verse is from the book of Sirach, which is similar to Proverbs: Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt never do amiss.

Just like everything from that language, it makes it difficult to interpret. So, I’m going to give you the Darren Official Version after studying this out.

“Before you speak, do, or enter into any dealing, take thought for how it will end, and you will never sin.”

I am a boss at my job, and I have been for many years. I make decisions all throughout the day. But my most important decisions are about life, family, money, church, etc. Sirach gives us a rule to follow to ensure we never fall into sin…

Paraphrasing, when you’re lying on your deathbed, did you make the right decision? Did you make a decision that would affect your life, family, money, church, etc., in a way that affects all involved positively?

Let me give you a Darrenism that I say to everyone at work, “When you lie on your deathbed, I won’t be there, make sure you spend time being with your family.”

You see, we often make decisions for ourselves, or for the near future, but what is important is eternal. No one lying on their deathbed thinks to themselves, “I sure wish I had spent more time on the job.” No, because when eternity is staring you in the face, you’ll recognize what really matters.

In every decision we make, we must ensure we make it from the END of our life, not from our present. It may be great to have more money, etc., but not if your children grow up without a parent….what is the price you’re paying for the now? Now is irrelevant….make decisions from the end, and you won’t sin….thanks, Sirach!