A House Is Not a Home

(Pro 3:33 KJV)  The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

As I said, I am reading the Christian Standard Bible this month in Proverbs.  As I read it, I noticed that in the second part of this verse, instead of “habitation” (5116), it has “home”.  I think that is a valuable insight.

When I was a kid I remember a lady who would read a poem every year, I think on Mother’s Day, and the only thing I remember is “It takes I heap-a lot of livin’, to make a house a home”.  Our house, or habitation, is simply a building.  It can be finished, painted, the doors mounted, the roof covered and still not be a home.  It takes that added application of people.  Even then you can have a habitation full of people who don’t really live there because their lives are centered other places.

So?  Is your house a home?  Is it just a place to hang your hat and lay your body down to sleep?  I would suggest if that’s the case that you start by making a place where you worship.  And make it a place where family becomes important.  The place where you study.  The place that becomes your home, or as the gospel of John would talk about, your abode.