By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4
“Like the cellar-growing vine is the Christian who lives in the darkness and bondage of fear. But let him go forth, with the liberty of God, into the light of love, and he will be like the plant in the field, healthy, robust, and joyful.”
H. W. Beecher in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 106.
Sammy and I will walk through some fields this morning with Joy and Hope (Sure we will have those feelings on this pre-wedding pheasant hunting outing, but those are the name of our German Shorthair Pointer hunting dogs). As he gets married this weekend and builds a home, I pray it grows into a healthy, robust, and joyful place.
I’ve been thinking about what questions to ask him and any last words to say in our last shoulder-to-shoulder outing before he gets married. I think I’ve landed on these two ideas: liberty of God and light of love. The first is vertical, relating to his relationship with God, and the second is horizontal, linked to other people.
This is essentially the Greatest Commandment of Jesus, to love God and love others. So, what does this have to do with generosity? Studies show that a son flourishes with the blessing of his father. I hope to give him one final memorable blessing to live in the liberty of God and in the light of His love.
Few choose to live this way, which is why today’s Scripture text says that “rare and beautiful treasures” are in the rooms of homes built by wisdom. This is a good reminder for me, and perhaps for you too, to remove all fear from the house, which brings darkness, and to keep liberty and love in every corner of our home.