Matthew 13:24-30

Matthew 13:24-30 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I've seen some very beautiful explanations of this passage.  Think of the value of the wheat -- we should do everything we can to protect it.  We should treasure it and do what we can to help it mature and blossom into what God has called it to be.  The wheat is important.
  Well, the enemy has sown some weeds, and it's easy for the church to go charging into the midst of things with hands full of round-up, so eager to exterminate those weeds that it doesn't first consider the impact on the wheat.  We're only just now learning about how some of our best fertilizers and pesticides are impacting the ecosystem -- and we're seeing some collateral damage that may be challenging (if not impossible) to reverse, and we can only do that through concentrated and sustained effort. 
  As the church, we need to think carefully how we approach issues, especially contentious ones.  If we rush in with solutions without bothering to listen to the people and humbly consider the impact of our words and actions, we endanger some of that precious wheat.  We don't have to compromise what we believe or how we interpret, but we do need to remember that each stalk of wheat is highly valuable, and that we should approach it carefully, thinking about the long-term Kingdom and what God is doing, loving selflessly and ensuring that all are cared for while we humbly and joyfully proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.