In the popular television series Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott introduce potential home buyers to undervalued homes they wouldn’t otherwise consider purchasing. There is a catch, however. These homes need a total gut and remodel before they will meet the homeowners’ vision of their perfect abode.
What the Scott brothers don’t emphasize is that almost every home they renovate has something unexpected that blows up the budget. It might be asbestos lining the chimney flue, or a leaking basement wall. To keep the renovation on track, the Brothers plan in a contingency fund for unexpected overruns. It gives them an emergency reserve to pull on in time of need.
Luke 14:28 asks the question:
“For which of you, intending to build a [house], sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Jesus is telling us that we will pay a price for our belief in him. The race for our salvation is not completed with our confession on the cross. Just because we’ve committed to a continuing life of faith in Jesus doesn’t mean the devil backs away and leaves us to it. We must be prepared for the attacks of the evil one on our lives. He will be devious, coming through our children, our church, and our Christian friends. Misunderstandings will blossom into wounded pride, and wounded pride into antagonism. Relationships will begin to suffer, and with them, the Church will be weakened.
Our Christian contingency fund comes in time spent in prayer, daily studying the Word, and regular positive communication with our allies in Christ. Whether we gather for a women’s prayer breakfast, have a summer pool party, or meet at a coffee house after the Sunday evening service, bonding comes with time spent together, and time spent together builds a contingency fund of good will that is a deep purse of potential reserves.
The Scott brothers sometimes have to rethink their redesign when expensive repairs scuttle their grand plan. The Scotts, however, always pull together and make their remodel a smashing success, no matter the problems they run into along the way. Let’s not be afraid to do the same. Let’s be sure our Christian house is a success for Christ, from the floor joists to the roof over our heads. We do it with prayer, Bible study, and time spent with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
What we start for Christ, let’s make sure we finish for him.
Copyright © 2016 MyChurchNotes.net
Code: FGO.E.21.16d.vp.kjv