To Mr. Parker and all Christian haters: It truly amazes me how many people will take a verse or a few verses from God’s word and try to further their own agenda.

Mr. Parker has taken the story of the rich young man found in Mark chapter 10 completely out of context that Jesus was trying to tell the young man.

The young man’s primary problem was his wealth and therefore Jesus’s prescription was to rid him of it.

There is no indiction that Jesus’s command to him was meant for all Christians. It applies only to those who have the same spiritual problem. “Treasure in heaven” is the gift of eternal life or salvation. This treasure is not to be earned by self-denial or giving of one’s material goods, but is to be received by following Jesus.

In giving away his wealth, the young would have removed the obstacle that kept him from trusting Jesus.

If you truly believe what you wrote, how much of your wealth have you given to the poor? Have you sold all you have and given it away? How much of your time have you given to help someone in need? Have you ever taken a Thanksgiving to someone who needed it? Have you ever given a can of food to someone who is hungry? Have you ever bought Christmas presents for kids who otherwise would have none?

There’s an old Chinese proverb, “He who lives in glass house should not throw rocks.” We all need to search our own hearts before we begin to search other people’s hearts. We all need to take God’s Complete Word and not just some of it.

David Shaw

Peachtree City, Ga.