building the house

There is an old parable told of a rich man who was going away on a long journey. Before he left he hired a builder and said to him, "I will be gone for many months, and I would like you to build me a house with the specifications I leave with you. I do not want you to substitute anything cheap for the genuine quality that I want. I am willing to pay the price for the best. And when I return, I will pay you for it. But be sure to build it well."

When the rich man was gone, the builder decided to cut corners and to skimp here and there on things that would be hidden from the naked eye and would not be noticed by the owner. The months went by and the builder continued his sly ways that resulted in a house of poor quality while it looked expensive and solid.

Finally, the day came when the rich man returned and inspected the house. After reviewing everything, he said to the builder, "I have a surprise for you. Yes, I will pay for the house, but I want to present this house to you, for you and your family to live in. This is my gift to you."

We may look at some such story and think that is what parables are made of... imaginary happenings. But in reality, this is not merely a parable. You may be absolutely sure that as you build your life, so you will dwell. Only for the one in whom the Spirit of God dwells is God the true builder. Only then is a home blessed by God.

The single greatest lack of our time, perhaps of all time, is men and women of character, those whose lives are honest and whose transparency is real. I do not know of a stronger witness for Christ than that one be described as a person of true honour.

- Ravi Zacharias, I, Isaac, Take Thee, Rebekah

1. the foundation of the covenant

"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honour than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honour than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." - Hebrews 3:1-6 (NIV)

2. the foundation of the Christian

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." - Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

3. the foundation of the church

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NIV)

4. the foundation of the community

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." - Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

5. the foundation of the city

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." - Psalm 127:1 (NIV)