Treasure in the House; or Proverbs of Home-Life
Proverbs 21:20
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.


One simple Saxon word has talismanic power over every heart. That word is "home." Who of us can forget our home and home-life in the past? We are now what our mothers made us in that far-off time of childhood. Great are the responsibilities of home-life, for it is the seedtime of the eternal harvest. God Himself instituted the family relationship as one of His antidotes for Satan's various enticements. Terrible is the vengeance God exacts for the violation of His laws of love. Education cannot be confined to the school, academy, or college. The true educators are the street and the home. God has given to parents a mighty instrument for good in the family relationship. But home-life and home-lessons will avail little without home-love. And there should 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 will clothe us with the ornaments of grace in our earthly homes. The same qualities of mind and temper exercised towards the great All-Father in heaven will make us meet for the house above, and lay up for us there treasures that shall never fail.

(Wm. Stevens Perry, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

WEB: There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.




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