Anyone who has done any building at all knows a lot of work is involved. But also there is a certain satisfaction when the job is done to know that you had a hand in the building process.

In the Bible we also read of building. Noah built an ark, the people later tried to build a tower to heaven, and cities and kingdoms were built. Matthew recorded a lesson that Jesus taught where he talked about building, and the account was made into a children’s song. The wise man and the foolish man. The wise built upon the rock, while the foolish man built upon the sand (Mat 7:24-27).

The Lord used building as an illustration to show the importance of building on the right foundation. Each person has to answer the question themselves as to on which they are building.

For a building to stand it must be built on a proper foundation. Through the ages some have tried building on the pleasures of this world. Solomon’s words tell of the worth of worldly pleasures.

“And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”(Eccl 2:10,11).

All the things of the world will one day pass away. Those who build on the pleasures of the world find their foundation weak and unable to stand the weight of life. Money, glory and power all can be gone in an instant.

Daniel wrote of the night that Belshazzar held the great party for his lords (Dan. 5). He had what most would count as the “good life.” Yet in one night it was all taken from him. Can one not learn from the lessons shown in God’s word?

Money is what some try and build their lives upon. Money itself is not a problem but the love of money is a great problem. Paul wrote, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Tim. 6:10).

Great fortunes and many want-tobe fortunes have been used as foundations by millions. Some work so hard at amassing their riches they simply forget about God. They need to heed the words of Jesus, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). The gathering up of riches should not be a person’s main goal in life.

All should build their lives on the solid rock – Jesus the Christ. This means their concerns will be following God, putting him first in their life. Mankind needs to fully realize that a far better place than this world exists and awaits those who will trust in God and obey him.

God’s desire is that all men be saved (I Tim. 2:4) and he has provided the way for this to happen. Jesus stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Just as constructing a physical building takes work, so does building a life for Christ. It takes commitment to study and grow. It takes learning to put all one’s trust in God and not in self. Trust in God’s word and obey the gospel, he will forgive one’s sins (Acts 2:38).

Then one must begin living the Christian life. Those building on Christ can face the trials of this life and know that heaven will be their home for eternity.