In the Bible, one reads of building. Noah built an ark, people later tried to build a tower to heaven, and cities and kingdoms were built.

Matthew recorded a lesson that Jesus taught where he talked about building. "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27 KJV).

The Lord used building as an illustration to show the importance of building on the right foundation. The question arises, "Upon what are you building?"

The proper foundation is a must for any building to stand. Through the ages, some have tried building on the pleasures of this world. Solomon’s words tell of the worth of worldly pleasures. All the things of the world will one day pass away. Many who build on the pleasures of the world find their foundation too weak to stand the weight of life. Money, glory and power all can be gone in an instant.

I am reminded of the night that Belshazzar held the great party for his lords (Daniel 5). He had what most would count as the "good life." Yet in one night it was all taken from him. Can we not learn from the lessons shown to us in God’s word?

Money is used by some on which they build their life. Money itself is not a problem, but the love of money is a great problem. "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10).

Great fortunes and many want-to-be fortunes have been used as foundations by millions. Sadly, some work so hard at amassing their riches they simply forget about God. They need to heed the words of Jesus. "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).

The gathering up of riches should not be a person’s main concern in life. "Go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4; 13, 14).

Lives need to be built on the solid rock — Jesus the Christ. This means one’s concerns will be with following God, putting him first in all that is done. One will fully realize that a far better place than this world exists and awaits those who will trust in God and obey him.

God desires all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), and has provided the way for man to come to him. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

Just as building a physical building takes work, so does building a life for Christ. It takes commitment to study and grow. It takes learning to put all our trust in God and not in self. We trust in God’s word that if we obey the gospel, he will forgive us of our sins (Acts 2:38).

Then we must begin living the Christian life. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:1-3 KJV).

When we are building on Christ, we can face the trials of this life and know that heaven will be our home for eternity.