Worthy Brief - 8/25/2026
Friend, you were made to steward what is holy!
Matthew 7:6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
Yeshua (Jesus) just warned us not to judge others with pride or without self-reflection. He told us to remove the plank from our own eye before addressing the speck in someone else’s. Now, He gives another warning: Kingdom mercy is not carelessness with what is sacred. Pride needs correction, and Yeshua tells us not to act that way. At the same time, wisdom helps us see when something holy is being rejected, and Yeshua tells us to notice that too.
At first, this verse might sound harsh, but Yeshua is not telling us to look down on others. He is teaching us to be wise. We should treat what is holy with care and not put what is precious in places where it will be ignored or ruined.
In the Hebraic mind, holy things were never ordinary. The word 'holy' comes from 'kadosh,' which means set apart and belonging to God. People treated sacred things with respect, not carelessly.
When Yeshua says not to give what is holy to dogs, He means wild, unclean animals, not pets. These animals cannot value what they are given. In the same way, pearls given to pigs are not appreciated—they are just trampled, because the pigs do not understand their value. The lesson is not that the pearl is less valuable, but that it should be given where it will be received.
Not every heart is ready to receive what is holy. Not every conversation is fruitful. Not every sacred truth should be handed to someone who only wants to mock it, twist it, or tear you apart with it. That is not bitterness. That is wisdom.
The Kingdom calls us to love people, bless our enemies, and show mercy, but it does not call us to be foolish with what God has made sacred. Love does not require pouring holy things into hardened contempt forever. Mercy does not mean endless arguing with those who have already decided to trample what is precious.
Yeshua lived by this wisdom too. He taught crowds openly, but shared deeper truths privately with His disciples. Before his accusers, He stayed silent. When religious leaders tried to trap Him with questions, He answered in ways that revealed their motives instead of playing along. He loved everyone perfectly, and He still did not give holy things to hardened hearts just because they demanded access.
Some believers think that being careful with what we share means we do not love enough. They feel they must answer every accusation and convince every critic. But Yeshua teaches that there is a time to speak and a time to stay quiet, a time to offer and a time to walk away.
A pearl does not lose its value just because a pig steps on it. In the same way, your obedience to God is not less important if someone rejects it. The real issue is not the pearl's value, but the heart of the person receiving it. This is where discernment leads to maturity in the Kingdom. A mature disciple learns to ask God: Is this person open to truth or only looking for a fight, and is this the time to speak or the time to protect what is holy and move on?
You have holy things in your life that deserve careful attention: God’s Word, your story, the changes He has made in you, your calling, and your close relationship with Him. Not everyone should have access to these things. This is not pride; it is good stewardship. Humility helps you see your own faults, and discernment helps you avoid giving precious things to those who will not value them. Both keep your heart soft and your choices wise.
Ashrei, blessed is the one who knows the difference between mercy and misplaced access, who loves without surrendering wisdom, and treasures what God has made holy. Blessed is the one who can walk away without hatred, be silent without fear, and guard sacred things without apology.
Friend, so do not let your heart become hard; become wise. Keep loving others, but stop giving what is precious to those who do not value it. Let God show you when to speak, when to wait, and when to trust Him with the situation. The Kingdom is careful with its treasures, and you should be too.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George & Baht Rivka (Baltimore, Maryland)
Editor's Note: If you’ve already picked up a copy of The Biblical Fall Feasts Revealed or Identity in Messiah Revealed, thank you! I pray these devotionals are helping you grow deeper in God’s Word and in your walk with Him.
If you’ve had a chance to read either book, I’d be greatly appreciative if you would take a moment to leave an Amazon review. Even a few sentences about how the book encouraged or impacted you can make a real difference in helping others discover it. Thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, and support!
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