I’ll Huff and I’ll Puff…
And I’ll blow the house down! So cries the wolf.
Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf. The big bad wolf. The big bag wolf… sings the pigs at varying times in the story.
But the wolf in this story has a huge ability, and the pigs have some varying success on building homes to withstand the power of the wolf.
But as luck and skill would have it, the first two little pigs built poorly and were subsequently eaten for their poor efforts. The last little pig built well, and the wolf goes away very disappointed.
There are morals to this story that go all the way back to bible times.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24-27, KJV)
We have all lived in a house, right? No one here has only lived in a cave? Unless you were instrumental in the construction of that house, or unless you are a builder by nature, you probably thought little about what it took to build that house. From site selection, to design, planning, permitting, purchasing material, hiring contractors, pouring the foundation, picking up a hammer, painting, roofing, etc.
There are a thousand things to think about when you start the process. Forget something, and it’s just possible that everything will screech to a halt. Hire the wrong laborers and you can get unsatisfactory results. Run out of money – well we all understand that!
Let me share a couple of thoughts with you today on Build It Right.
First, with everything we do, we should always put God first! Before home… Before sustenance… God First.
- Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… (Matthew 6:33)
- When Isaac traveled, he built an altar to God before he put up his tent or dug a well. (Genesis 26:23-25)
- For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:9-11)
You see, the best lives, according to both Scripture and life experience, are built on the foundation of Christ, who is the Cornerstone of all things in our life.
You should always build your life on Christ. What does that mean in practical terms? Christ is our model in building who we are. Aren’t we tired of seeing people who try to mimic the fashions of the world? How does the world earn the privilege on telling us what to look like? How do we just give ourselves over to the worlds lifestyle and think this is pleasing to God?
Christ modeled for us what our life should be like. (Matthew 6:25-33) “Take no thought…” for life, food, drink, clothing or about your body. If He can take care of the lilies of the field, how much more will He take care of us? He did not leave, nor has He forsaken us! He is with us through every part of our lives, even to the end of the world! He is the Glue that binds your physical and spiritual house from discord to unity!
Jesus teaches a much more practical story than this fable. He teaches us a story of two men who go to build a house. All things being equal, their houses could have been identical. Not only is the material important, you must also build in the right spot.
Yet the key is, the Storms of Life tests everyone equally, and proves how well you have built! It’s less about the material, or even building capability, and more about your foundation.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
If you are going to build, then build it right. First time.