Matthew 13:47-52 ~ sat down and sorted the good into containers

Matthew 13:47-52

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

I once had a friend who became a young wife and mother. She was so interested in collecting her nest, she found out another friend was going to buy the sample, a very expensive sample wooden swing set on a certain day and she hurried to get the deal before the agreed upon buyer could. Counting the salesman wouldn't remember. And of course, she was caught after she returned home and assembled the fort/swing set.  And how did she react? Astonished at herself, pleased, guilty, and quite angry the 'friend' was angry. Later she would call me and tell me she was dreaming of being in a large warehouse type store and her cart was always empty. Or filled with the wrong things. No matter what she did, she felt frantic and was constantly filling up her cart.  She actually required an explanation, and when it was given... she was surprised because it matched what her mom had told her. It was a kindness God was giving her.

We are called to sort through all kinds of things in life. 

I know a cousin who helped us remove a huge dead tree. And then loaned us tools to begin the reconstruction of our yard that was a whole like the circumstance at the time of our infant daughter's death. So it was a very appreciated kindness. And he had a neighbor give him a very, very discounted supply of good and needed fill dirt. It is God. Blessing us as we bless others.  


Today I sorted clothes for a Pregnancy Assistance Center, and I am blessed with shorts that are exactly the thing right now and for $2.  From sorting.

We are called to sort out our behavior, give kindness with mercy to others and to sort out our life circumstances. It is like the parable of the virgins, if you are asleep.... you are not sorting.

Matthew 13:1-9

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.


<><