It just occurred to me that Jesus’ story of the wise man who built his house upon the rock is the same story as the three little pigs. Instead of the floods coming up it’s the big bad wolf blowing lots of hot air. It is very much the way life is. People, like two of the pigs, make lots of bad decisions and need to be rescued by those who made good decisions.
I sometimes hear people complaining about having to help people on welfare. We jump to the erroneous assumption that they all have chosen that path as a way of life. It is true some have. But most are in their predicament because of unwise decisions or just plain old misfortune that also happens to people who make good decisions.
I know you are expecting me to say we need to help them because it’s the Christian thing to do. It is. However, it is also the smart thing to do. When people get very hungry they grow desperate and desperate people can become very dangerous. We really don’t want to live in a city with hoards of hungry people. No matter how many wise decisions we have made in life, those who have, will become prey. That’s not a good thing!
Our assets, our talents, our education, and our good fortune are the fruit of good decisions and God’s blessings, which He bestows on us to see how well we handle them. Am I my brother’s keeper? Yes. If I recall the story correctly I believe the pig with the brick house gave shelter to the other two. It’s also good to remember they were all pigs.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 10, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org