The Life You Build

"The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them". Proverbs 11:3 (NKJV)

A construction worker was once given complete control to build a house. His employer gave him the funds and trusted him to complete the project excellently. However, seeing an opportunity for personal gain, the worker cut corners. He purchased lower-quality materials, skipped crucial steps in the construction process, and rushed the job. When the project was finished, his boss handed him the keys and said, “This is my gift to you. You will live in what you have built.” Imagine his regret.

At first, we may dismiss this as an extreme scenario that only happens in construction or physical labour. But in reality, this is a picture of life itself. Every day, whether we realise it or not, we are all building something—our careers, reputations, relationships, and future. And just like in construction, the materials we use matter.

Proverbs 11:3 reminds us that integrity provides guidance, while dishonesty leads to downfall. The double standard of the construction worker in choosing what seemed convenient over what was right led to his ruin. The same principle applies to us. If we compromise our values in the workplace, sacrifice character for short-term success, or project an image that does not match who we really are, we are, in effect, building a house that we may not want to live in.

We live in a world obsessed with appearance. Social media thrives on carefully curated glimpses of our lives, highlighting our best moments and well-crafted personas. But genuine authenticity is not about what we show the world; it’s about who we are when no one is watching. Thankfully, as Christians, our identity is in Christ, and our standard of living does not come from popular opinion or societal trends. It comes from Him alone.

Daniel in the Bible understood this. He did not wait until he was in the spotlight to practice integrity. When no one was looking, he made choices that honoured God—choosing a simple diet, staying faithful in prayer, and doing what was right even when it was risky (Daniel 1:8, 6:10). His quiet faithfulness shaped the kind of man he became when the stakes were high.

So, here’s the question: If the life you are building today would become your home tomorrow, would you be happy to live in it?

Reflection

Beyond what people see, what defines the real you?

Prayer

Lord, let my choices—big and small—reflect honesty, faithfulness, and truth. Shape my heart so that I build something lasting and honourable. Amen.