“When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you will not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone falls from it.” (Deut. 22:8)
Cain asked the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – apparently, if it’s your house you are! The typical architecture found in Israel was a flat roof that doubled as an outer patio/balcony. If you were going to have people go up on your roof, you better build a parapet (i.e. a low wall or railing) so they didn’t fall. In other words, every Jew was responsible for thinking about the safety and well-being of others. It was the Jewish equivalent of building codes.
If through neglect in our own craftsmanship and service we fail to consider the health and safety of our fellow man, we are wrong. “Whatever our hand finds to do we should do with all our might” (Eccl 9:10). A Christian should not cut corners in whatever service he is active in… especially when that service impacts others, and it almost always does.
Neglect and apathy are not found in the fruits of the spirit, but self-control and faithfulness are.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:17)
#Biblebites Matt. 4:4