Building Altars

So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well. Genesis 26:25

 

What’s the difference between building and pitching?

 

Building vs. Pitching

More permanent vs. More temporary

Costlier vs. Cheaper

Planning involved  vs. Can just pitch a tent just about anywhere

Skill/labor involved vs. Just about anyone can pitch a tent

 

Building an altar - metaphor/ picture of your spiritual life/dwelling

Pitching a tent - metaphor/picture of your physical life/dwelling

 

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”  ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

The comparison - you should spend more time, energy, and resources on building your spiritual life than your temporary physical existence…

 

Time - how does your time compare between what you’re investing in building your spiritual life vs. your physical life?

 

Talents - how are you using the talents that God has blessed you with to build your spiritual life - His eternal kingdom - vs. building your physical existence?

 

Treasure - how are you using the blessings that God has given you - for your own personal pleasure and comfort or to be a blessing to others?

 

Digging a well

• If you’re not doing the building and pitching correctly, you won’t be able to dig the wells…
  • More concerned about yourself, won’t be focused on others…
• For the flourishing of the community - you are blessed to be a blessing…
• Not for your prosperity, but your posterity - those who come after you - leaving a legacy for the next generation…
• What wells are you digging for others?

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.