“The Wise Man Built His House…”
by Andy Baker
The popular children’s song depicts the familiar illustration by Jesus in Matthew 7:24-27 of the Sermon on the Mount. Two men were building houses – a wise man and a foolish man. The difference between them: One heard the teachings of Jesus and did them, while the other heard them, and did not do them (Matt. 7:24, 26). Consider for a moment the things that a truly wise man does in building his spiritual house:
The wise man uses a solid foundation. Many things such as money, fame, strength, and teachings of other wise men give the appearance to be solid foundations (Jer. 9:23). However to this wise man, he knows that there is but one foundation that will withstand the storms of life and the storms of Judgment (Matt. 7:25). He knows that there is “no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 3:11). As the authority of Christ is the foundation for this astute individual (Col. 3:17), he also knows that slab repair will never be necessary.
The wise man considers well his contractor. Even for this sensible fellow, he may be tempted to improvise or cut corners in finding a contractor to help him build upon his foundation. Yet, he remembers that there are so many who are out to take advantage of the careless and simple (see Matt. 7:15-23; II Peter 2), and so he considers well what the Psalmist said, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psa. 127:1). A better contractor could not be found! The wise man then studies carefully the blueprints given by his contractor and constructs his house only according to the blueprint (I Tim. 4:16; II Tim. 1:13; 2:15).
The wise man uses lasting materials. He considers the things that his house must withstand the elements of different seasons (Eccl. 3:1-8) and thus he strives to use quality building materials in construction. The nails which hold this thinker’s house together he received from the wise (Eccl. 12:11). Fastening the structure with such “well-driven nails” will ensure the stability and integrity of his house for years to come. The wise man diligently checks the uprightness of his house in order to prevent decaying and leakage from occurring (Eccl. 10:18).
The wise man contemplates the furnishings of his house. Having completed his project, what is left but to furnish the house? Our hero reflects on the words of the psalmist, “I will behave wisely in a perfect way…I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psa. 101:2, 7). Because he is wise, he considers well the harmful things that might corrupt and defile his abode (I Thess. 5:21-22). Thus, he “thoroughly furnishes” (II Tim. 3:17 KJV) his house with that which is able help him walk in “good works” as a complete and mature man. Because the wise man has so built his house, he has prepared himself to live in this world knowing his house is just a temporary dwelling. The wise man looks anxiously for “a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Cor. 5:1-ff) knowing this is the place that the Savior has prepared for him and is far better than any dwelling here on this earth (John 14:1-4).