readoldthings

Once upon a time, there was a man struggling with life, and he made an oath that, if God would solve his problems, then he would sell his house and give all the proceeds to the poor. Naturally, the time came for the man to redeem his oath; but he did not wish to part with so much, so he devised a scheme: he would put the house on sale for a trifling sum; but his cat, which must be purchased with the house, would be sold for the full value of the building. The house was soon sold, and the man gave the price of the house to the poor, but kept the price of the cat for himself.

Was this man living by the spirit of his oath? Of course not: but many, like him, seek to live according to a teaching but warp it to their advantage. Such people have not understood the teaching, and therefore will not reap the benefits that living by it would confer.