THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS
THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS
What are you building and how are you building them?
According to two definitions from the Oxford Dictionaries, to build is to construct (something) by putting parts or material together or to make stronger or more intense.
So building is more than brick and mortar.
We can build businesses,
We can build families and homes
We can build relationships
We can build stamina
We can build ourselves.
For the five examples above of things that we can build, it is important to note that the second definition above is applicable. That definition says to make stronger or to make more intense.
We can build stronger businesses, relationships, families and homes. We can make ourselves stronger and we can build up stamina.
Now there is a smart way and a not so smart way to build. The scripture says:
“Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say? Anyone who comes and listens to me and obeys me is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. When a flood came and the river rushed against the house, it was built so well that it didn’t even shake. But anyone who hears what I say and doesn’t obey me is like someone whose house wasn’t built on solid rock. As soon as the river rushed against that house, it was smashed to pieces!” Luke 6:46 – 49 CEV
According to the above verses of scripture, there is a wise way to build and there is also a foolish way to build. The one who comes to Jesus, who seeks Him concerning issues of life and who does as Jesus instructs is a wise builder. No matter what storms come at them in the journey of life, they will remain grounded and rooted. They will not be easily shaken. They run with the Master’s will and purpose knowing they are safe regardless of what comes their way.
Psalm 125:1 (CEV) describes them like this : “Everyone who trusts the LORD is like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken and will stand forever.”
With these ones, there is a confidence that cannot be shaken. This is how David must have felt when he was facing Goliath the Philistine giant. His trust in God had been so built up that even a giant of such stature to his tiny, ruddy self did not cause him to fear or panic. And his trust in God was rewarded with victory over the Philistine giant.
The one who builds foolishly on the other hand, will fall apart like a cheap suitcase at the slightest appearance of a bump on the conveyor belt. He is the one who hears the word of the LORD but disregards it. When God told Noah to build an ark and put his family in it, Noah kept preaching to people but they did not listen to him. Some would have thought him wierd and maybe even mentally unstable but when the flood came, it literally swept them away. They thought they were smart and wise in their own eyes but they did not know that it is the weak and foolish things of the world that God uses to make nonsense of the world’s wisdom. “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” 1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV
When Isaac sowed during a time of famine because he trusted God, (just like his father, Abraham before him trusted God) his obedience was rewarded with a miraculous harvest. It seemed the foolish thing to do at the time but what a great reward he received.
Dear friends, the word of God says “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10 NLT
And we have been told: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 NLT
It is really up to is now. God gives wisdom generously. And He will never scold us for asking. But we must ask Him. And it shall be given unto us.
LET US THEREFORE BUILD WISELY.
LET US ASK GOD TO SHOW US HOW,
AND HE WILL.
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©