A Wise Builder
By Toby Crowder
Mitchell County
Prov 14:1 “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”
“Clean your room… Don’t Touch that… Eat your vegetables… Get ready for church… Stop fighting with your sister!” Most of us have heard these commands or something similar throughout our lives. These, of course, are a reminder of things that we may have heard our mothers say as we reflect upon and celebrate Mother’s Day. I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who rightly said, “No one is poor who had a godly mother” and I think those of us who were blessed with a godly mother would agree wholeheartedly! But the simple commands listed above, and others that our mothers say to us, whether we realize it or not, are not simply commands, orders, or suggestions… they were building blocks. The writer of the Proverbs reminds us of the godly wisdom that is required to build a godly home.
Even though this is a small verse, it contains a powerful meaning when we consider the woman who builds her home. The verse says every wise woman…. this speaks to all; not only the wise but those who desire to be. We gain wisdom from experience, and often by example. We are blessed to have several young mothers in the church that I pastor, and we are also blessed to have some godly grandmothers and mature Christian ladies who serve as an example for the younger generation. Wisdom is something that comes with age, and as the younger mothers strive to build their homes, the older ones display and offer the wisdom of their experiences. Thank God for this wisdom and for those who are willing both to share and accept it.
The verse states that this wise woman is a builder: she displays wisdom in her dealings with her family and others as she builds. This type of wisdom does not come from the world… it will not be found on a daily talk show on TV or scrolling through a list of social media posts. Simple wisdom is something that God will give to each of us if we are serious about building with wisdom:
Jas 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Prov 24:3 “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:”
A wise mother realizes the source of wisdom and builds upon this knowledge: Over 200 years ago a lady named Suzanna Wesley reared 19 children. She was devoted to the task and had 16 rules which are worth mentioning here today: “Teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak; Require all to be still during Family Worship; Give them nothing they cry for, and only that which they ask for politely; To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented; Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished; Never punish a child twice for a single offense; Commend and reward good behavior; Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed should be commended; Preserve property rights, even in smallest matters; Strictly observe all promises; Require no daughter to work before she can read well; Teach children to fear the Lord.” While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, it is evident that Ms. Wesley was a devoted mother, a wise woman who was resolved to build her house upon God’s wisdom.
We also see the advantage of this wisdom in the family of young Timothy, as Paul writes to him in 2 Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” It is evident all through Scripture that when a mother’s faith is scripturally sound… they will build well with godly wisdom. In closing, I want to thank God that I was raised by a godly mother and was also blessed with a wife who strives to be a godly mother to our children. To these, and every mother reading these words, thank you for building well! Happy Mother’s Day!
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Toby Crowder serves as Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine. He and his wife Leslie have been married for 26 years and have two daughters, Emilee, and Katy. He can be contacted via the church’s website MCfamilyforChrist.org or mtcarmelsprucepine@gmail.com
You can read more good Christian news at www.blueridgechristiannews.com.
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