“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
“These things I say, not in order that we should be careless of righteousness, but that we should avoid pride; not that we should sin, but that we should be sober-minded. For humbleness of mind is the foundation of the love of wisdom which pertains to us. Even if you should have built a superstructure of things innumerable; even if almsgiving, even if prayers, even if fastings, even if all virtue; unless this have first been laid as a foundation, all will be built upon it to no purpose and in vain; and it will fall down easily, like that building which had been placed on the sand. For there is no one, no one of our good deeds, which does not need this; there is no one which separate from this will be able to stand. But even if you should mention temperance, even if virginity, even if despising of money, even if anything whatever, all are unclean and accursed and loathsome, humbleness of mind being absent. Everywhere therefore let us take her with us, in words, in deeds, in thoughts, and with this let us build these (graces).”
John Chyrsostom (347-407) in his homily “Concerning Lowliness of Mind” delivered in Antioch just before Christmas in A.D. 386. John Chyrsostom is the first of the four doctors of the Eastern Church. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Athanasius of Alexandria will follow.
We must build our lives on the firm foundation of fasting, prayer, and giving.
Think about the implications. If we build our lives on setting aside our desires for the things we want, for seeking the heart of God, and for serving as a conduit of divine blessings, we fulfill our God given purpose.
But if we don’t we will likely just pursue that which our flesh wants and keep for ourselves.
Thanks to all those who have contributed to the GTP $40,000 matching gift effort to serve underserved countries. I just checked the status at 4am Denver time. We still need $1,601 in the next 8 hours or so.
I’m fasting and praying and thankful for God’s faithful provision.
And I’ve strengthened my resolved to pursue these disciplines with humbleness of mind. I want to pursue them, more than ever, as foundation for generous Christian living. Join me.