Why Build

Building the Messianic Community will manifest our obedience.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth. PROVERBS 3

In it we CAN live like pilgrims, as should be.

We are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13 nkjv). Many people have foolishly concluded that because they live on earth, it’s their home. Earth is not our permanent home or final destination; we were created for something much better. We are just passing through, just transient visitors. The Bible uses terms like alien, pilgrim, foreigner, stranger, visitor, and traveler to describe our brief stay on earth. (Purpose-Driven Life, p. 48) At death, you won’t leave home—you’ll go home. (p. 51)

Y’shua said, “Be passers-by.” (Gospel of Thomas)

Does a pilgrim encumber himself on his journey? Certainly not! He carries only things that are light and useful on the road. We are on the planet to promote our soul growth. To amass wealth, indulge the flesh, suffer sleepless nights over earthly worries and fears—these are irrelevant to our soul growth.

²⁶ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose [forfeit] your soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? MATTHEW 16 nlt

¹⁷ You say, “I am rich and well-off; I have all I need.” But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. ¹⁸ I advise you to buy gold from Me, pure gold [refined in the fire], in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment [salve] to put on your eyes, so that you may see. ¹⁹ I rebuke and punish [discipline] all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from you sins! ²⁰ Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear My voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them; and they will eat with Me. REVELATION 3 tev

Soul growth is not about jewelry and clothes or keeping in fashion. It is not about houses and cars or keeping up with the Jones.

³⁰ What are you doing, O devastated one! Why do you dress in scarlet? Why do you put on jewelry? Why shade your eyes with paint? You are making yourself beautiful for nothing! JEREMIAH 4

¹⁸ [Let us focus our attention] not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen. What can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. 2 CORINTHIANS 4 tev

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deed, to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves, as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 TIMOTHY 6

The Son of Man did not run after earthly riches or comfort. He contented Himself with simple fare and focused on pleasing His Father.  

²⁰ Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place [of His own] to lay His head [and rest]. MATTHEW 8

⁹ Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich. 2 CORINTHIANS 8

In order to achieve soul growth, nothing more should matter to us than to love and please God. 

²⁹ From now on… ³⁰ those who buy [should live] as though they did not own what they bought; ³¹ those who deal in material goods, as though they were not fully occupied with them. For this world, as it is now, will not last much longer. 1 CORINTHIANS 7

Will not the man of sound mind exchange the little wealth he has for the love of God?

¹¹ [The apostles] forsook all and followed Him. LUKE 5 nkjv

⁴⁴ The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it again, then in great joy went and sold everything he owned, and bought that field. ⁴⁵ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ On finding one very valuable pearl he went away, sold everything he owned and bought it. MATTHEW 13 cjb