本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛FIRST THINGS FIRST – KEEP YOUR GOAL IN SIGHT!
In the beautiful nation of Scotland stands an estate surrounded by a
massive, 10-foot high stonewall wide enough to ride a bicycle on it. The
main entrance, with its towers and iron gates, reminds visitors of
Buckingham Palace. It has only one major problem – the owner spent so much
money on the encircling wall he could not afford to complete the work
inside of it. For him, the exterior was more important than the interior.
To state it another way, façade took priority over reality!
The ancient book of Proverbs has an interesting observation to prevent such
a dilemma: “First plant your field; then build your barn” (Proverbs 24:27).
In other words, make sure your economic base is solidly in place before you
tackle other opportunities or investments. Address first the things most
necessary to your present lifestyle before you proceed to those things that
have a secondary influence upon the comfort of your life. The work of the
field, on which your subsistence depends, is of more importance than the
building of a better house or wall, and should therefore to be attended to
first. When that is completed, then you are at liberty to build your house
– IF you can afford the time and money for it.
This proverb admonishes us to focus on our priorities, so we can
concentrate on the most important things:
- Personal livelihood (fields) before one’s own comforts
(house).
- Time with God before time with mankind.
- Reading the Bible before reading books or magazines, or
viewing TV programs.
- Spouse and family should come first, then our work, church
and community activities.
- Cultivating the spiritual before proceeding to secular
pursuits.
- A solid foundation before the superstructure.
Another way of stating Proverbs 24:27 is, “Finish your outdoor work and get
your fields ready; after that, build your house.”
After the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001, I began thinking
about the famed Empire State Building in New York City. It has 103 stories
and stands 1,250 feet high. It consists of 10 million bricks, 6,000
windows, and 60,000 tons of steel framework. Its total weight, experts tell
us, is 303,000 tons! It rests solidly and deeply embedded in the basic
underlying stratum of granite.
Will the bedrock of the Empire State Building ever grow tired of bearing
such a load? Geologists say the granite rock cannot yield; it will not
slip. Why? Because before they began building upward for a quarter of a
mile, the builders went down, down, down with columns of steel and
concrete, creating a sure, unshakable foundation.
As you construct your own “empire state building,” make sure that first
things are first. Count the cost carefully. Avoid that outward display,
which shames the inconsiderate builder, who begins to build his house,
without having thoroughly prepared his work. Read the story in the Bible
that relates to this, Luke 14: 28-30更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
In the beautiful nation of Scotland stands an estate surrounded by a
massive, 10-foot high stonewall wide enough to ride a bicycle on it. The
main entrance, with its towers and iron gates, reminds visitors of
Buckingham Palace. It has only one major problem – the owner spent so much
money on the encircling wall he could not afford to complete the work
inside of it. For him, the exterior was more important than the interior.
To state it another way, façade took priority over reality!
The ancient book of Proverbs has an interesting observation to prevent such
a dilemma: “First plant your field; then build your barn” (Proverbs 24:27).
In other words, make sure your economic base is solidly in place before you
tackle other opportunities or investments. Address first the things most
necessary to your present lifestyle before you proceed to those things that
have a secondary influence upon the comfort of your life. The work of the
field, on which your subsistence depends, is of more importance than the
building of a better house or wall, and should therefore to be attended to
first. When that is completed, then you are at liberty to build your house
– IF you can afford the time and money for it.
This proverb admonishes us to focus on our priorities, so we can
concentrate on the most important things:
- Personal livelihood (fields) before one’s own comforts
(house).
- Time with God before time with mankind.
- Reading the Bible before reading books or magazines, or
viewing TV programs.
- Spouse and family should come first, then our work, church
and community activities.
- Cultivating the spiritual before proceeding to secular
pursuits.
- A solid foundation before the superstructure.
Another way of stating Proverbs 24:27 is, “Finish your outdoor work and get
your fields ready; after that, build your house.”
After the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001, I began thinking
about the famed Empire State Building in New York City. It has 103 stories
and stands 1,250 feet high. It consists of 10 million bricks, 6,000
windows, and 60,000 tons of steel framework. Its total weight, experts tell
us, is 303,000 tons! It rests solidly and deeply embedded in the basic
underlying stratum of granite.
Will the bedrock of the Empire State Building ever grow tired of bearing
such a load? Geologists say the granite rock cannot yield; it will not
slip. Why? Because before they began building upward for a quarter of a
mile, the builders went down, down, down with columns of steel and
concrete, creating a sure, unshakable foundation.
As you construct your own “empire state building,” make sure that first
things are first. Count the cost carefully. Avoid that outward display,
which shames the inconsiderate builder, who begins to build his house,
without having thoroughly prepared his work. Read the story in the Bible
that relates to this, Luke 14: 28-30更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net