Preface: In Erie we volunteer to share a scripture reading at the beginning of Sunday school. Continually inspired by my grandchildren, the Lord placed this devotional upon my heart during one of their recent weekend visits. Abigail and Simon joined me by reading some of the corresponding scriptures. It is my joy to share this with you. It is also my prayer that we are all inspired to be good builders of Christ’s kingdom on Earth. Merry Christmas!

At our house, we are builders. We build forts and tunnels and towers, Lego villages and princess castles, train tracks and car tracks and bridges and tunnels. We make things and sew things. We write books about the adventures of Bun-Bun, Dog-Dog, and Smelly Ely the Elephant. Most of all, we build memories.

Building is fun. We learn many things when we build. If the pillows we are using to build a fort are not supported by a chair, then they fall down. If the towers we build get too tall or misshapen, then they topple over. If Lego pieces are not tightly connected, then they are not stable and they fall apart. If we are not careful when we sew, then the needle can poke our finger.

When we build, we learn things about ourselves. We learn things about each other. We learn things about the world we live in. Most of all, we learn things about God and how to be a builder of His kingdom here on earth.

God’s word teaches that in order to be good builders of His kingdom, first we must be wise builders of ourselves — our hearts, our minds, our souls. To be wise builders of ourselves, we must first recognize where knowledge, understanding and wisdom come from.

Proverbs 2:1-6 says,

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

So what happens when we prioritize seeking God’s wisdom and understanding?

Proverbs 4:4-6, “Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. (God’s wisdom and understanding becomes our foundation!)

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13)

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.” (Proverbs 24:3)

So each and every day, let us recognize where wisdom and understanding come from — God! Let us seek God’s wisdom and understanding with our whole heart, our whole mind, and our whole soul. It is precious, like silver; it is a treasure.

When we do this, the foundation on which we stand will be solid — like the man who built his house upon the rock.

When we stand on the solid Rock of Jesus, we become filled with the wisdom and knowledge of God.

Most importantly, we become good builders of His kingdom.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.