The House That Wisdom Built Series

When you build a house you want to be wise about the kind of contractors you hire, the kinds of materials you use, the research you do… and you’ll want to be wise in choosing the location to build the home. This last one can be extremely important…

For example, a few years ago a Chicago family was forced to pay a company $65,000 that had bought THEIR home in a tax sale. You see, the builder made a mistake and built their home on the wrong lot. (lot 38 instead of lot 39) and the family ended up paying taxes on the wrong property. And so their home (built on the other property) was sold at a tax sale for unpaid taxes on the land the house was built on. They apparently had to pay the company (who’d bought their property at tax sale) $65,000 to keep their house. All because their house was built in the wrong place.

This sort of thing happens all across the nation. I’ve read of such incidents taking place in Hawaii, California, Rhode Island, etc. One contractor in Florida built a $680,000 custom house on the wrong lot which prompted The Daytona Beach News-Journal to interview the executive officer of the local Home Builders Association who said - wrongful building like that - was 'rare,' but not unique. She said "… since I've been working here for the past18 years. I can think of 10 (homes in this County that were built on the wrong property)"

So, it’s always wise to be sure HOW … and WHERE you build. And our text today tells us: “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 was talking about building our LIVES on wisdom. In fact, the entire book of Proverbs is dedicated to teaching us how to be wise in how we live our lives. For example, years ago, Proverbs saved me from making a terrible mistake.

ILLUS: At the last church I served there was a young man named Bill. Now Bill was a pleasant and friendly, trust-worthy looking fellow. But he was as crooked as a dog’s hind-leg. I was later told that Bill would often steal things… and sell it to somebody; and then he’d sell it to another person; and then to another person… and so on. He was a crook... but I didn’t know that. As far as I knew, he was just another Christian attending church.

One day, Bill came up to me and explained that he had a new job in Dayton and that he needed to buy a car. He asked if I’d co-sign with him so he could get his car. I said, “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.” “What do you mean you can’t do that” he asked. “You’re a Christian… and I’m a Christian. Christians ought to help each other out shouldn’t they!” (he was trying to shame me into doing what he wanted). And I said: “I’d love to help you, but the Bible says I can’t do that. I can’t co-sign.” “WHERE DOES IT SAY THAT!” He demanded.

Well it says it in Proverbs – several times. Places like Proverbs 6:1-5 where we’re told “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor - have given your pledge for a stranger (co-signed), …. save yourself, … go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.” Essentially: Be afraid. Be very afraid – do not co-sign!!!

Proverbs 11:15 puts it bluntly: “Whoever puts up security for a stranger (co-signs) will surely suffer harm...”

Do you know what Bill would have done if I’d co-signed for him? He’d have taken the car… and NEVER MADE a payment. When you co-sign for someone you’re saying – if they can’t/won’t pay, I will! He would have owned the car, and I’d have owned the payments. Now I wasn’t smart enough to know that at the time! All I knew was that God said “don’t do that! Don’t co-sign.” The WISDOM of Proverbs saved me from buying a car I’d never own. I’ll co-sign for my immediate family… but not for anyone else! The wisdom of God's Word protected me from making an unwise decision.

Now, if I want to be wise… where do I start? Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." And Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!"