The Modern Day Parable of the Wrongfully Prioritized Potato

by David Shannon

And a certain potato asked the Good Master, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

And the Master said unto him, "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother."

The potato was so happy and said, "All these have I kept since I was just a little spud in the spring time!"

When the Master heard this He said unto him, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell your Big Screen Television and the other one in your bedroom and give the money to the poor. Sell the 13 inch that is in your kitchen and the portable T.V. that goes with you when you don't want to be without. Cancel your subscription to T.V. Guide and use the same time to read the Bible and prepare for classes. This will change your family's life in a wonderful fashion. Use a portion of these extra hours a week that are now available to visit or write the sick and those in nursing homes. And of course, now you will have time to invite your neighbors to church. Potato, this will be a great benefit in your life. Since it isn't possible to add hours to a day, you will have done the next best thing! Many will be encouraged and even in Heaven because you sold your T.V."

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was a Couch Potato.

And when the Master saw that he was very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for one to set his affection on the tube and spend more time guided by the T.V. Guide than by the Bible to enter into the kingdom of God!

For it is easier for a camel to go through the needle's eye, than for a Couch Potato to sell his T.V. and put Me first!"

(See also Luke 18:18-25)