Walk of Life – October 2021 – Day 11 – Thoughts from the Book of Proverbs – OPT TO

Opt to Bring Joy to Your Own House

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11:29

The Word of God is so rich that every time you turn to it, you find something new. The wisdom of Solomon is so profound that you really begin to wonder at the depth and meaning that each word holds. This verse caught my attention…he that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind. The Lord has put each of us in homes and families. The testimony of a son or a daughter about their parents, I believe, is the most significant. Outwardly we may be popular and famous, probably great preachers, holding high positions in the government, but how we are to that little circle that God has given us is very very important. What does it mean to inherit the wind? If you trouble your own home, you will ultimately inherit nothing…in the spiritual sense I think it means you will never inherit the blessings of God. He who is faithful in few will be made lord of many, if you are faithful in taking care of your own home, the Lord will bless all your endeavors.

Certain ways that a person may be troubling his own house:

1. Covetousness – Achan’s sin in Joshua 6 and 7 especially 7:21, brought his whole house to destruction. Greed and covetousness brings destruction. The desire to hoard up wealth by wrong means is an abomination to the Lord. It was not just Achan but his whole family, including his livestock that suffered a terrible end. “ Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.” Joshua 7:24, 25. Just think of it, his children did nothing, they probably had no clue of their father’s robbery but everyone suffered. It hurts to see that many of us think money is everything…you may not bear the brunt in this world but you will give account to God one day. Be very careful how you spend the money the Lord has given you and how you earn that money. 
2. Wastefulness. “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich” (Prov 21:17).  There are several families who spend much beyond their means. They would rather wear the most expensive clothes and live lavish lives even if it means a lot of debt than live a simple, humble life. The best gift you give your children is not the riches of this world, it is to teach them to love God’s Word, to wait on Him, to spend time and energy on them to bring them up to  be great men and women for the Lord.
3. Uncontrolled anger. Domestic abuse, even in today’s women-empowered world is very common. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov 16:32). It is ok to correct your spouse or your child but not by any kind of abusive behavior. Yelling, using bad words, beating and hitting causing deep wounds both physically and emotionally is definitely not acceptable. The fruit of the spirit must be seen in your life.
4. Wrong decisions. A family founded on the Word of God and prayer will be blessed by the Lord. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6 Think of the decision that Ananias and Sapphira took in Acts 5. If they were truly in prayer and in tune with the Lord, they would not have ended up destroying their home. We take decisions every single day. Ensuring these are taken based on God’s word is very important.

Some of us are so busy serving the Lord that we forget our own homes and family. The first church is your home, the best testimony is that of close family.

Dear Lord, Help us to be tuned with thee and with thy Word, to love thee, to follow thee, and to be a blessing to our homes and family.