“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who built it;” (Psalm 127:1a)

Please forgive my call of advice, but Christians really ought to pray to never feel jealous over what someone else has. First of all, if they are not saved, spiritually speaking their home will not stand; meaning no home could ever replace Jesus. Only He has the Power to Save. So although their luxurious dwellings may remain, the eternal integrity of the occupants will crumble and wither and their souls will forever burn.

Financial wealth is the goal, and moving into one’s dream house the pay-off. But at what cost? Hard work is godly, it is character building, it strengthens a person inside and out, as well as develops self-governed discipline and dependability. But for many aspiring independently wealthy people, hard work notwithstanding, is a small part of a bigger picture.

In the Book of Matthew, as well as in Luke, Jesus gives us an illustration through a parable about the weakness or strength of construction we may choose to make our abode with emphasis as to the strength of the foundation. It’s as easy to understand as a children’s picture book, that a house must be built using trusted, strong materials. But much more profound to the common sense element, is a spiritual principle in which the whole illustration hinges: if we keep God out of the equation, our house will not stand. That is spiritually more poignant than the lesson in the natural, although these things do work together. Because who but a fool would expect inadequate materials and soft ground to provide the strength necessary to maintain as vital a structure as a house. The illustration of the house is only one example, but it’s a perfect one for the message in this parable:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27, nkjv)

ALSO SEE: Luke 6:47-49

The house can represent anything we do; the floods/rains represent those things in the world that come against our plans and the rock represents Jesus. (Another key word He uses is founded/foundation.)

The spiritual principle through Jesus’ Words is crystal clear; if we are not grounded and rooted in Him everything we do or attempt to do will be tainted from the start. Furthermore, even if there is great success as far as this world is concerned, without this principle fully embraced, the fall may not happen in this lifetime, but it WILL happen, when that person is banished to hell on Judgment Day.

That is why seeing gorgeous homes on my street makes me feel pity, instead of envy, if they are not in Christ Jesus that is. And if they are saved, I am happy for their comfort and joy and wish them well both outwardly and inwardly…..(But only because Jesus does a continual Work in my heart; I am nothing and can do nothing without HIM.)

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.