Wheat and Tares. Same Benefits.

This post is meant for Christians and those who think they are. If you are neither, you are also welcome to read. If you are Singaporean, you are welcome to read also.

In Matthew Chapter 13 verses 24 to 30, the parable of the wheat and tares was given in order to illustrate what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. The passage is given below:

Mat 13:24-30

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Over the course of my life, I have often heard about being “wary” of the tares amongst the wheat, with various injunctions about being “sure” that we are wheat and not tares. Well, there is that.

What I never hear is that BOTH the wheat and the tares receive the same sunshine, the same carbon dioxide, which is plant food, the same carefully ploughed and manured soil, the same care with regard to pest removal (as far as current methods and technology permit) and the same prayers for fruitfulness. In other words, BOTH wheat and tares live in the same blessings. BOTH wheat and tares are cared for with the same amount of care by the farmer. It has become obvious who are wheat and who are tares, but both are given the same things necessary for life, both physical and spiritual.

That’s why it is better to live in a nation where principles of democracy and rule of law apply. Even if the nation is full of oathbreakers instead of covenant keepers, living in a democracy is still better. Throw in free market principles and it would be still better.

So, if you are a Singaporean, do you hold to the covenant you made with me by the Pledge we all recited every school day? Every National Day and on other occasions as well?

Are we covenant keepers or oathbreakers?


Writing this after posting. Do remember that the tares, having enjoyed the same benefits as the wheat, are burned at the end. 

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