Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
This is something which we simply would not do. Or at least we wouldn't do it if we knew that those things we have are pearls. If we truly realize the holiness of the one whom we know we will not treat his name lightly. Why give pearls to swine? Maybe to play with them and entertain them? Swine can't appreciate the value of pearls. Dogs can't appreciate the value of what is holy. It isn't that we are selfish or condescending. But we are reverent. We do not let the name of God to be taken lightly insofar as it is up to us. We don't encourage the name of Jesus in parody just so that his name might be said more often. More isn't always better. Quality matters. We don't just argue for the sake of argument. We aren't given salvation through Jesus so that we can win more arguments and be right more of the time. This approach parades his name around, to be sure, but not in a way that is meant for others to appreciate. Instead we must approach others the same way we would want to be approached. We don't go just to distract and entertain them or to amuse ourselves or build or pride. We go to them that they may genuinely learn to recognize the name of Jesus. When we don't see them as swine or dogs they will not act and respond like them.
Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.
This is how Abram deals with Lot. He gives Lot the first choice of lands when they grow to large to live together.
Please separate from me.
If you prefer the left, I will go to the right;
if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.”
Lot looked about and saw how well watered
the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar,
like the LORD’s own garden, or like Egypt.
This is the attitude with which we should approach others. There are riches enough for all. Our God is big enough to take care of us when we put others before ourselves. We do not see others as swine or dogs but brothers and sisters for whom we want only the best. We will have more than mere leftovers (cf. Mat. 14:20).
“Look about you, and from where you are,
gaze to the north and south, east and west;
all the land that you see I will give to you
and your descendants forever.
When we love of brothers and sisters we do justice. God promises that those who do will live in his presence. He who does these things "shall never be disturbed."
Why is the road to destruction so wide? Why is the road to life so narrow? It is because we put ourselves first. We see others as swine and dogs. We are never called to keep our pearls for ourselves. We are called instead to recognize the full value of what we have. We are called to recognize that they are unearned blessings. We are called to share them just as we would want them shared with us. When we share our pearls in this way, with brothers and sisters rather than swine and dogs, we do find the road to life. To others it may seem narrow. But there is room enough for all who want to find it.
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