What kind of house are you building? No, I’m not talking about your literal house. I’m talking about your life. What kind of life are you building?
That’s what Solomon addresses here in chapter 24.
He says,
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3-4)
Whether we’re talking about our family specifically (as I think Solomon is talking about here), or our life in general, we can only establish a house that’s able to stand the test of time through the wisdom that comes from God.
Solomon goes on to say,
A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength (5).
What kind of wisdom does God give that we can build our families and lives on?
Many are things Solomon has mentioned before.
- Don’t envy the wicked nor make them your companions. That will only lead you down the path towards destruction. (1-2, 19)
- Take the advice of others who are wise. (6, 26)
- Embrace wisdom in your life. (13-14)
- Don’t live a life of idleness. (30-34)
But there are a few other things as well.
Solomon writes,
If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! (10)
All of us go through hard times. Sometimes, even when we’re doing God’s will, we find hardship.
The apostle Paul certainly did. So did Jeremiah and the other prophets. Even Jesus himself did.
But during those times, we need to continue putting our trust in God.
Two people who I greatly admire showed just this kind of strength.
One of the pastors at my church lost his wife to cancer about a year ago. It was a painful and hard time for both of them. But neither of them faltered in their faith.
To the end, my pastor’s wife was still thinking of others and desired to reach out to them, even when her body no longer allowed her to even get out of bed.
Solomon notes of such people,
For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again (16).
And when my friend’s wife rose again for the final time, she opened her eyes to her Savior.
If we want to build a life that truly works, we need to build our lives on faith in God.
Solomon then talks of other ways to build our house.
He admonishes us to fear both God and the king. (21)
In other words, we are to honor God, and all those who are in authority over us, whether in government, in our jobs, or in our church. For as Paul writes, ultimately, God is the one who put the authorities in place (Romans 13:1).
To rebel against him and the authorities he has put in place is to put our house on shaky ground.
Finally, Solomon writes,
Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. (27)
In other words, don’t start something before you’re ready to take it on. Count the cost of what you do. If you don’t, Jesus warns you’ll be like the man who starts building a tower only to have to abandon the project later. (Luke 14:28-30)
Too many people get married without thinking of the financial ramifications and get into trouble because of it.
Too many people have children without adequately planning for it.
Other people start a ministry without thinking about all that it involves and all that they’ll need to make it work.
If we don’t count the cost, all we do will be in danger of falling apart.
What kind of life are you building?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 