| by Tawanda Ray (Hamilton, Alabama) |
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| Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees Who say but do not do. Who bind heavy burdens upon God’s sheep Though you do not follow through. These heavy burdens you will not bear Not one finger you will apply. The list is long of what you demand While you yourselves live a lie. The deeds you do are to be seen of men In the guise of doing God’s works. You claim the right to live so high Through salaries, tithes and perks. The uppermost rooms and chief seats you claim, By rights of being God’s “priests”. Yet, Jesus has said if you want to be great, Consider yourselves to be least. The title of “master” no man can claim Yet, “mister” you insist to be named. In exalting yourselves to this title of Christ The sheep have often been shamed. Through widow’s mites, your way has been paved To live lives of which we can’t dream. In giving three tithes and offerings galore Our own lives were bare and lean. The outside of the cup and platter looks nice But inside are extortion and excess. You strain at the gnat but the camel you gulp While trivial things you stress. Jesus said, clean up your own insides Before trying to clean up the sheep. Make your own paths straight and right And loosen the burdens you heap. Woe unto you hypocrites and Pharisees Good examples you have not set. By devouring houses of widows and the poor You have racked up quite a large debt. (based on Matthew 23) (This poem has been updated and re-printed from “The Church of God Messenger” July/August 2001—Issue No. 4.) |
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