"What Have They Seen In Thine House?"

by Jarvis, A. G. | Category: General | Dec 1959

(2 Kings 20.15).

These words of the prophet to king Hezekiah may well be used to exercise our hearts today. It seems as if there was ostentation on the king's part in the display of his riches to the men from Babylon. Today it is all too easy for us to be proud of our houses and all they contain. The danger is very real. The austerity (as it would be called) of 100 years ago, when wealthy Christians refused carpets on their floors, has given place to the opposite extreme in many cases. What the world sees in our houses and in our lives is of profound importance. It is either evidence of God's control, and for His glory, or it ministers to our own glory.

Alas! how much there may be in our houses which speaks, not of His rule, but of our own self will! How much of our time and energies are expended to the accumulation of "things," forgetful of the truth spoken by Christ, Himself! "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth." With the increase of material comforts, and what is called" a higher standard of living", the senses seem to become dulled t6 the' vitality of the truth of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a great contrast indeed between our modern homes and the statement of our Lord, concerning Himself, that He had "not where to lay His head," or of Paul, and his companions, "having no certain dwelling place." But the main consideration for each of us should be (whatever kind of house we are blessed with) that men should see Christ in our lives and homes. Anything which hinders this is bad; anything which fosters this is good.

Jarvis, A. G. | Dec 1959
General