Treasure in the House: Wisdom's Eternal Wealth

"There is treasure to be desired in the dwelling of the wise." The Saxon word "home" holds talismanic power over every human heart. We are shaped irrevocably by our mothers in that far-off time of childhood—we become what our homes made us. Yahweh Himself instituted the family relationship as one of His antidotes against Satan's various enticements. The true educators are not the school or academy alone, but the street and the home.

Parents wield a mighty instrument for good in the family relationship, yet home-life and home-lessons avail little without home-love. There must be real and attractive pleasures by the fireside and round the home-table. Obedience, truth, and love will give us treasure in the house and clothe us with the ornaments of grace in our earthly dwelling.

These same qualities exercised towards the great All-Father in heaven make us meet for the house above, laying up for us treasures that shall never fail. Perfect character unites apparently opposing virtues: gentleness with courage, energy with patience, determination with docility, justice with mercy. Justice alone marks a defective character—it could be trusted but not loved. Mercy alone would make one too weak. The rebuke of a loving father strikes all the more effectively on account of the affection inspiring it. When law unites with love, truth with gentleness, neither weakens the other; rather, each becomes more impressive in action.