"Puff"-Proof Assets and Safety

(This reading is based on Psalm 127 and is read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of SDAs.)

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it." Ps. 127: 1 (first part)

"Puff"-Proof Acquisitions: The Wise Little Pig

Remember the story of the three little pigs? To two of the pigs a house was a house, and it didn't matter the material that was used to make it. For the smart little pig however, a house was only a house worth building if it were made of bricks (not sticks and straws). It wouldn't be surprising to discover that the author was inspired by the parable taught by Jesus about the the wise man who build his house upon a rock instead of the sand, as did the foolish man. Of course, the house here represents anything of value that we would acquire, and the bricks represent the principles upon which the acquisitions are based (honesty, integrity, holiness... the fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5: 22, 23). The big, bad wolf I believe represents major destructive forces in our lives: Satan, sinful addictions, and death. Now the way to measure the value of our acquisitions is to measure the extent to which they safeguard us against these forces, or simply how puff-proof they are. 

"Unless the Lord keeps the city, the watchman waketh, but in vain." Ps 127: 1 (second part).

Blind Watchmen and Rusting Treasures

We employ watchmen to protect life and property. But have we thought about the fact that although security forces may prevent murder, they really can't stop us from dying. And although their efforts may delay the first death, where it matters most (the second death) they are useless. - hence Jesus' advise in Matt 10: 28 about whom to be afraid of. Jesus also advises us to lay our treasures in Heaven where thieves can't break in, and where it won't lose value through rusting and being corrupted by moth. Matt. 6: 19, 20. So to depend on carnal possessions and systems for protection against the real dangers we face is really like employing a blind man to ensure that only the folk wearing the correct attire are admitted into a black tie event.

                 

Father, with Jesus as our Chief Cornerstone, please grant that we would, " Trust in (You) with all (our) hearts; and lean not unto (our) own understanding.  In all (our) ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct (our) paths," amen.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 127 and to read other related blogs please click here.