Classic KJV - Proverbs 14:11

Those who spend all their time and effort in seeking riches, instead of righteousness, often attain riches and build large houses—even palaces—as their dwellings. Yet, if their efforts are shaped by wickedness, they have no real security. The upright may have a humble dwelling, yet it flourishes. Why?

Translation: House, Flourish

The Hebrew word for “house,” בּית (bă•yiṯ, pronounced “ba-yith”) is used almost 2,000 times in the Old Testament, referring to the common household, home, or family dwelling. The Hebrew word for “tent,” אֺהֶל (ʼō•hĕl, pronounced “oh-hel”), is used almost 350 times, pointing to the shelter of animal hides or goat hair, used by nomads. Animal skin, canvass or nylon tents are clearly less permanent than houses, but the message here is not about construction material.

The Hebrew word for “flourish,” פרח (pā•rӑḥ, pronounced “pah-rakh”), is used 36 times, also translated as “grows,” “buds” or “blossoms.” So the dwelling of the upright has a fertile, attractive promise, while the residence of the wicked is doomed. The text has a message about invisible forces acting upon people’s households. How secure is my home? How about yours?

House or Home

We shouldn’t look at the shell. Most of us pour out most of our wealth into our personal residences. The Canadian tax system encourages this as an investment, since there’s no capital gains tax on the appreciation of our primary residences. And many Americans over-build or rebuild their houses with second mortgages, since their mortgage interest is tax deductible. Yet neither the size nor luxury of a personal residence determines its true stability.

Many of us become “house rich, cash poor,” meaning that too much of our income goes into too much housing, so we have little money left for the other necessities of life—or our families. Ironically, a well-built house does not imply a stable home. This proverb suggests a wiser financial strategy: Spending time and money on being upright. According to Psalm 49:11, the wicked delude themselves into thinking that their houses are forever—indestructible. The very wealthy seek a sense of permanence or even immortality, by naming estates, corporations or foundations after themselves. The overall well-being of a dwelling or those who live in it depends more on the character of its inhabitants, than the materials of its construction.

The wicked seek security or protection in visible stones, bricks, and mortar. The upright also seek security and protection. They surround themselves with the invisible Rock of Ages.

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Jesus described two houses with dramatically different fates. After giving a lengthy discourse on honesty, (Matthew 7: 1-29, Luke 6:20-48), Jesus said that His listeners fall into one of two sorts: Those who hear and happily change their lives, and those who hear and do nothing.

The sort who hear and rebuild their lives are like homebuilders, who dig deep to build on bedrock. The sort who hear and do not respond are like homebuilders, who do not want the toil of digging down to a solid foundation. In sunny weather, both houses looked lovely. Perhaps those without any foundations look more elegant, since the money was available for frills. But, when the tempest hits both sorts, those with the bedrock foundations stay standing, while “great is the ruin” of the others.

Personal obedience to Jesus' teachings, even or especially when it's seen by God alone, is the key to our households flourishing or failing.