21/30 Wise Sayings: Design

 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.24.3-4.ESV

Building, decorating and furnishing a house are no mean feats. But I don't think Solomon is just on about bricks and mortar here. We sometimes talk about trying to build a name for ourselves, and I think there's a sense in which Solomon is communicating along those lines.

After all, someone could have a beautifully built, decorated and furnished house, but be devoid of spiritual wisdom. Conversely, someone could live in a shack and yet be spiritually wise. Having said that, a simpleton can't build a house.

A sluggard isn't going to beautifully design the interior of his home. But the wise do. The best preachers don't just order their sermons well, they order their possessions within their home well as well. Messy men make messy preachers.

Going back to the analogy of building a name for yourself, it would be good to be like the human equivalent of a beautiful house, that people want to visit, appreciate, and learn from. By the grace of God we can become those kinds of people. And we can have beautiful homes, however humble, that we can be hospitable with.

"Wisest Lord, may we build everything we do with wisdom. May our homes be beautiful and welcoming places, and may we be generous with the wisdom you've imparted to us.
In the name of Jesus, amen"

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