Mensa Otabil - The Wise Builder
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We’ve been discussing wisdom this week and the previous week, looking at it from different points of view. Today, we are focusing on building, specifically the wise builder. Jesus told the parable of two kinds of builders: the wise builder and the foolish builder. Today, we’ll examine the wise builder, and tomorrow we’ll look at the foolish builders. In Matthew chapter 7, verses 24 and 25, it states, «Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.»
This parable pertains to how people receive God’s word, but the concept of a wise builder and a foolish builder goes beyond just our approach to God’s word. It extends to how we build our lives, our marriages, and everything else we are involved in. The parable emphasizes foundations, not building materials. The assumption is that both the wise man and the foolish man are building with the same materials.
The difference lies in the foundation on which they construct their buildings. In life, we often have the same opportunities, the same materials, the same schools, and the same education, yet the outcomes can vary widely. Sometimes it’s not about whether someone has superior materials; it’s about the kind of foundations they lay. The wise builder builds on the rock.
That is the first lesson from this parable: the wise builder chooses the rock. In the region where Jesus lived, the geography was very sandy, as much of the Middle East is. When people build, they must decide whether to build on sand or on rock. Sand can sometimes appear strong but poses hazards, such as flash floods-sudden surges of rainwater that wash away everything in their path. This serves as the test for what people are building.
The wise person does not merely look at the surface of the sand; they dig deeper. The wise person recognizes that while it seems possible to build now, a more solid foundation is necessary. A wise person is a digger; they dig beyond the surface, taking time to establish a strong foundation for what they will become later on. This approach applies to marriage and everything else in life. It takes time to lay the right foundations.
Secondly, they build enduring foundations. They establish values, ideas, and concepts that last. They cultivate disciplines that are sustainable. They do not pursue what is popular or trendy. They build for long-term success. We live in a world where short-term success is often celebrated. On social media, people may show their successes, leading others to believe that things are smoothly working out for them overnight. There is much temptation to sabotage your life, take shortcuts, and attempt to impress others with pictures.
Listen, life is not about staged images; such pictures can be manipulated. Life is a reality, and if you want to be a wise builder, take your time. Find a solid rock and ensure that the fundamentals on which you build are sound. Confirm that your foundation is strong and that what you do can withstand adversity, for trust me, adversity is inevitable. Everything you build will be tested by storms, rain, and winds, but a properly built house will stand firm. I pray you will build on a solid foundation so that 10, 20, 30, or even 40 years from now, you will still be standing against all the storms of life.
That is what a wise builder does. Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, your word is my rock and foundation. Help me to dig deep to build against every storm. In Jesus' name, Amen.» You are a wise man; you are a wise woman. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.