The Carpenter Story
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer/contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate
way to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.”
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.”
Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
This is a beautiful story and this make me think of my life and the way it is at this moment. I want everyone who know the words of prayer to please pray for me I was in housing court yesterday due to rent that I owe to my landlord and when I asked the judge to please give me more time he said NO so right now a evicted notice will come and I will have only 24 hours to get the money or they will lock me out of my apartment. Please pray that I come up with this 4,250.00 before I receive the eviction notice. I do not want to lose my apartment but, due to no income for 6 month that’s the reason I asm behind I am getting social security now but, I need this money within the next 4 days.
Please say a special prayer for me.
Thanks
Dear Annie,
How terrible you must be feeling. My heart goes out to you, and you are in my prayers. Don’t give up faith, we only grow in adversity and as one door slams shut another one opens. Every single thing happens for a reason, we don’t know why at the time, but if you only hang in there you’ll look back at this time and the answers will appear. Things always seem a thousand times worse at the time. This too will pass. You will get another apartment, but you must believe and hand your life over to God.
I wish I could help you, but I am in a similar situation.
God bless,
Maggie
South Africa
All I know is that you will be ok I dont know when or how but I do believe you are in my prayers, I to have been in a similar situation and it looked dark, I am still here God Bless you
Annie,
By now I do hope that some financial arrangement has come through, if not there is something infinitely better for you. Like Maggie advices pray and God will take care of you and lead you to better things.Believe and He shall bless you with abundance. This is sure to be a passing phase, and I am sure your best times are yet to come. Have faith and your circumstances will improve.
Take care and God Bless,
Raj
Dear Annie,
My prayers are with you….always remember that God doesn’t give us anything that we can’t handle and when we struggle that faith in God will see us through because we know he won’t let us down and like Maggie said, there is a reason why this is happening and you may not know for a while what it is but someday you will and you will thank God for letting this happen. Always remember keep your faith and look towards tomorrow. Just hang in there.
Arden
I truly feel for you, I was in a situation where OUR man was the one kicking us out, his only daughter and I, we had no place, I trusted God with ALL MY HEART, SOUL AND BODY, he gave us a house to stay in until we got our own apartment a 2 bdrm from a 1 bdrm. God always provides for the believing…BELIEVE AND LET GOD DO THE WORK!!!!
Annie,You have put your FAITH IN MAMMON NOT GOD.
Believe me when I say this you don’t need any money. the lord will fill everyone of your needs, you may not see it now just ask and you shall receive. First of all there is no money, it is only evidence of debt, created out of thin air, you think it’s money but it is only fiat currency. when Jesus died on the cross everything was paid for period. this is your wake up call. MATHEW 5-33.
most of America have led done the same path as you, me included. The country we grew up in is no more. We were led to believe there lies for 150 years that is why we are in the shape were in. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is a copywritten corporation, owned by English bankers since 1871.
“My people are destroyed from the lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests”
Hosea 4:6
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
‘I believe that
banking institutions are more dangerous to
our liberties than standing armies.
If the American people ever allow
private banks to control the issue of their
currency, first by inflation, then by
deflation, the banks and corporations that will
grow up around the banks will deprive the people
of all property – until their children
wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers
conquered.’
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=43599
Dear Annie and Maggie,
My heart is with you and my prayers. Even I’m single-5 years-means divorced I hope I can still earn money to pay my mortgage, taxes and my son student loan- he still goes for another major full time.My small business is not like it was before, is slow-vacation, hot summer-but everyday I applied for another job hopping that some doors will open soon and I can earn extra income even more to help others like you. God is taking care about everyone. We need to pray and trust Him.
God bless you all!
Dear Annie,
Things like your situation happens to everyone,just what I have experienced where my 5 kids are soppuse to lock up by the landowner,..we did a lot of solutions but we it didnt work out,..but in few minutes that I cried to GOD,that I am helpless,I need HIS help..I prayed with humility,.then the landowner change her mind,..she gave us 1 more month to look for apartment….the lesson that I learned is If you put everything to God ,all the burdens ,..He will help you as long as you humble your self to HIM,..and be obedient to His law,..specially never forget to give tithes in your church.GOD BLESS!!
I can say that God does not but on you more than He knows that you can take. It will seem hard now but God has a plan for your life. When one door closes another will open.See the beauty in life and appreciate every ssecond that God has given to you. We are his children and He is our father which means that he will take care of our needs. He will not see us suffer. Better days are coming for you. Just trust God and wait for Him to do wounders in your like.
Blessings, Love and Joy in Jesus.
Lilla
The Bahamas
Dear Annie we will pray for you and also we will pray that the Lord will give you grace with the Landlord.also we pray that the Lord will make a way were there seems to be no way. the Lord will answer you just have faith. he will see you through.
Betty
It is absalutely an inspirational story.The way todays world react with shorterm benefit in mind.shattering the chore of life itself. If we show sincerity in our life the world will be the beatiful place as God created it.
annie,,
dear annie,,
i was once in that kind of situation, and last minute,,a client who owed me for more than 5 years pays me ,so problem solved! God will always make a way,,
my prayers for you annie..
Wonderful story and oh so true.God gives us grace sufficent for one day and thats all for tomorrow has enough worries of its own .I had to learn to live one day at a time and be the the best I can be each day havinng God on my side as each day comes and goes. Jerimiah 29: 11-13 tells the plans God has for us and if we will only believe God will provide and he’ll not forsake you. God loves you and so do I. Keep your hope up and faith strong and ask God , we have not because we don’t ask with the faith that he will answer. Don
I created this website for all of the people that are looking for hope and need faith in the One who created you. Many people are praying for you and maybe you will find some hope here…www.faith-hope.net
I rarely read these because I had chosen for so long to be destitute. But then a neighbor shared the prayer of Jabez with me. A life changing experience. Some say it’s contreversal, but it is the Word of God. Ask and it shall be given to you. I’ve been healed, not cured, but healed of cancer twice, I’ve lived on the street, I’ve been used, misused, lived in a car, repeatedly raped, been kicked to the curb. But what always stayed the same was the consistent love of God, always in the 12th hour providing hope and and answer. When I needed shelter, it was there. Not in the form of what I desired, but none the less … shelter. When I needed someone to rescue me from the pit of hell, God provided an angel. When I desperately needed medical attention and had no money, the money appeared out of know where and was taken care of before I began to beg. When I lost my 5th child at 6 months, broken to the core, God provided a family of a different sort. Families come in all shapes and sizes Annie. God never fails, even when all hope seems gone. Remember you are his child, call out to Him and REMIND HIM that he gave His life so that you could live. Ask and it will be done. I would encourage you to send a prayer request to CBN ministries. This week they are having a special prayer week called “CBN’s 7 Days Ablaze”. They also have a 24 hour prayer partner that will pray and believe with you 800-759-0700. All I can say is I am not the same person I use to be. God has brought me thru and out of the pits of hell. He will do the same for you. Having Faith isn’t enough; you have to believe that His hand is upon you.. “When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need”. Psalm 138:3. Be encouraged, know that people care and that they are believing with you for a miracle.
ITS FUNNY THAT I CAME ACROSS THIS STORY, I TELL A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS VERY THING, BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO TAKE NOTICE OR UNDERSTAND THIS IS SOOO TRUE, AND i CAN SAY THIS FROM EXSPERIENCE!!!!!!!
How very true is this story? We all make our lives so shabbily and then complain about our life being very harsh on us. We forget that we co-create everything in our life and we own a very important responsibility in all that we have, experience and enjoy in our life.
This is very good story that remind me to think about my mission I have done now.
i do relate with the story… now , i realize i should never complain anything my superiors require me to do without expecting in return..with or without compensation.. but i cannot blame myself if you cant work your best if you are not compensated well..
Hope God give me more patience..
Excellent story. Very inspiring to put your best foot forward & always do your best.
This carpenter must have lived in his professional life with the promise to do the right thing right or he would not have had such a great reputation. We do not really know as to what was behind his inferior work. Perhaps he lost the desire.
I would say this story is a coincidence to my situation right now.
I have been home for sometime now, coming from a 3 month contract job abroad. Before I took that contract I was at the brink of loosing it cause I didnt know what to do next with my life, especially it terms of work. I felt like I took the wrong career decision. Anyway, I prayed and God gave me this 3 months contract as an answer. So there…I questioned…so does that mean am in the right track…well I guess. After the 3 months I went back to my country and started my own business, doing few projects or maybe one project at a time, it was nice. It feels great. Then I came again to that point of questioning what else is in store for me..cause I may be doing all these things now but why do I feel empty. I feel something is missing. I missed the work experience broad…so I started applying again simultaneous with what am doing locally. Then decline came to my life. I prayed…the nudge I got is that I have to choose…either to stay or go abroad. I ended up deciding to stay. I did not waste any time anymore, I went out and registered my business. Days and weeks passed by things aren’t getting any brighter nor reassuring….am beginning to loose all the earnings I have saved. What am I to do now…? I did not perform less than what is expected of me, as done by the carpenter in the story….but what is it that I wrongly have read from God’s nudging. Where do I go from here…help! I do not want to end up feeling hopeless and with no direction at all.
This carpenter must have lived his professional life with the cavet – Doing the right thing, RIGHT.He would not have built up such a great reputation. He may have lost that desire.
This carpenter must have lived with the caveat to “Do the right thing, RIGHT aor he would not have had such a great reputation. Perhaps he lost the desire.
Excellent storey, which reveal management philosphy besides leading to learn for perfection on personal life. Thanks
Excellent story. we always hope for the best in our life but we don’t care the moment passing by is constructing our life’s happiness,sorrows and directions.we must think that every action,reaction is going to controll our life.
thanx to Authour
We must do our best, in a reading I read recently, no matter what we do, whether a street cleaner, a garbage collector, phone operator, data entry, whatever, do it as though we are working for Gods glory, not our own.
A few months ago I was renting a unit, I had lost my job 12 months previously, and the rent went up. I could see myself becoming homeless. I had taken a redundancy from work and Glory to God received superannuation which had gone straight into a bank receiving interest. I’m at that age where I had access to the superannuation. Before I took the redundancy (the job was going private), I prayed about whether God wanted me to take the redundancy package. Years previously I was put in the same position of taking a redundancy package, prayed about it and God said NO!! So I prayed again and told God that I needed a home of my own for security for the future as I was paying rent (God wants us to tell Him everything). To cut a long story short, I received my redundancy, had 2 weeks to find a place to live then started looking for a house to buy! The place where I worked didn’t go private. God took me out of that job to serve Him! I looked for a house for 12 months and asked God why I was having so much trouble finding a house that He wanted me to have. God said: “not by might but by my Spirit”. I immediately repented. A friend of mine said if I find a torrens title unit (no body corporate fees etc) grab it.
That night, on the internet, I found a brick torren’s title villa – 3 bed with built ins, garage, dishwasher, sun room etc, ducted aircon. I didn’t want a unit but I thought I would go and take a look.
I walked into the villa and couldn’t believe how nice it was. I prayed about it and talked to a couple of people I knew. I put in an offer, the real estate agent said the villa has just gone on the market. I asked him to put the offer in anyway. Someone else had had that same offer declined, so I offered $1K more and then the vendor immediately dropped the price! Needless to say God bought that villa for me using the superannuation I had received from the job I had. There is money left over and I have installed a flued gas heater, a new hws and installing curtains drapes etc. I have purchased a mower to mow the lawn and other bits and pieces – all paid for. I don’t have a mortgage and I’m working voluntary for Church.
I titled 10% of my superannuation to God and continue to tithe of what I have – the interest I get from what I have in the bank. I praise God I am no longer renting and that I’m not homeless. I just have to pay the rates etc and utilities, pay for food. Yes, I’m looking for work.
I continue to ask for Gods guidance and direction in all areas of my life and thank Him for his answers. He is a mighty God. God ALWAYS provides, no matter what the circumstances. The home I now have is really lovely, the nicest I have seen and I looked at heaps of homes and there is little wrong with this one, just needs painting! God is great, He is awesome and I wouldn’t be without Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour! My sister had double bypass surgery last December on her 79th birthday and we all prayed for her and praise God she is doing really well. She had an operation last Tuesday and God brought her through that as well. She will be 80 in December and says that God has helped her.
The power of prayer is mighty!
Annie, TRUST in God. Jesus Christ, Gods Son loves YOU!
YOU are precious to Him. HE will not let you down ok.
God might want you to live somewhere else thats even better ok. Whatever you have give 10% to God. Give your time to Him, try going to your local Church and see if you can help there – you never know who you might meet. God works in amazing ways, He has helped me in so many ways and miracles have been happening in my family. Both daughters are speaking to me now, they weren’t years ago. Jesus is awesome.
Trying asking Jesus for help, its ok to do that, ask God for help, guidance and direction – He does answer prayer, ok.
Been praying for you. God loves you just as much as He loves me, ok. He won’t let you down.
christine
I am very inspired by the carpenter story, So true,
At this time I would like to request prayer for my marriage, my family in my home.I need GOD to interceed into our lives and home and to build our marriage on His rock. I trust and believe only GOD can answer prayers and GOD alone can do the wonders and the work for us.
BLESSED day
I would suggest everyone to pray for themselves. Don’t think God will listen to only few selected people and only they need to pray for you – No. Never. God loves us all equally and your prayers would be answered – just you need to pray with sincerity and faith.
God says,”Give of your best, every single day, and you will have your reward in Heaven.” The carpenter did not do his best work on his last project and suffered because of it. I hope it was a wake-up call for him and he never made the same mistake again. As for Annie, Another quote from God, “Ask anything of Me and it shall be done, as long as you truly believe.” My prayers are joining those of others for your complete and utter trust in the One who loves us like no-one else.
Jo UK
Hi Annie,
I cried while reading your request and I asked God to bless you and grant you victory in your present situation. The reason being I have lost my job 5months ago (due to an evil man my boss & over his grudge against me for no apparent reason but for his own selfish & evil reasons) & everywhere I go for a new job I get a NO in the end. Believe me its not easy as a single mother with a child in 7th grade to live without a job & near bankruptcy situation. I cry and storm the heavens and keep believing in the Lord saying that he sure has his reasons for my present situation & he will deliver me from this bondage shortly, but each day seems harder & being only human I feel myself slowly slipping away. Still I thank him for my beautiful life all these years & for the strength he has given me especially to carry on through this turbulent phase.
In everything give thanks Annie for this is the will of God & claim your gifts what you seek from him in thanks & faith & I believe your cup will soon be pressed down and overflowing. Cast your burdens upon the Lord & he will deliver you for he is our refuge and our fortress, our very present help in trouble. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved & he shall give his angels charge over thee, to bear thee up in their arms, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Just pray and believe these things my dear sister Annie & I am positive the Lord is granting you your miracle soon.
Do remember me and my family in your prayers too Annie & whomsoever reads this on this website here I sure will appreciate your intercession on behalf of Annie & her family & please remember me & my family too.
Keep your chin up my dear Annie & remember there is always sunshine after the rain, followed by a beautifully colored rainbow full of cheer!!
Stay blessed!
Gillian
this is a very inspiring story that we can use as guidelines in ours daily works,,or other activities,most of the times i did my job seriously,,because i want the best result,,i don’t like alibis for the poor result of my job,,but sometimes i also experiencienced like what happen to the carpenters,,,and thanks i read this story,now it will always remind in all the jobs that coming my way,,,a very good guidlines,,,
Oh, It’s a wonderful story. If only one can live, everyday as his last day, it would be heaven on earth.
this story touch my heart, right now im in a situation where i question all my decision in life.Through this story i realize that i was’nt honest to myself and to others.I’m constantly hiding my real situation and pretend im ok to everyone, but like Annie who first respond to the story, i too is battling from the hardship of life.I will pray for you, be strong…
All wonderful replies – it’s heartening to know how many great people are out there, thanks to you all for your wisdom and faith.
Annie – see you aren’t alone! Hang onto your Faith.
By you writing and me replying I opened this site up this morning and the replies have lifted me up so much.
Bless you all.
Maggie
Annie-put your trust in the Lord ..he has a way we may never see it……but time will make us understand the mystery of his plan!! Understand that “Tough times don’t last but tough people do”. I’m sure you will find a way out of your problems…my prayers are with you!!Surely there is hope at the end of the tunnel of difficulties!!
Bless you
Premla
Dear Pam, (requested prayer for family and home): I don’t know you personally but, I do know that the Lord said, “Pray ye one for another….” I try to remember to say the Lords Prayer everyday because, I believe that to be one of the most obedient prayers in the Bible. In saying this pray, the words, “us” and “our” are the key words. They recognize all of the children of the King of Kings in asking for God to give us all our daily bread. Your prayer request has been heard. May the children of the King of Kings be blessed in Jesus name. P.S. The Carpenter’s Story was truly and inspiration.
This an inspirational story. My opinion is always be good in this world to the end and even if you are not rewarded immediately, you will be rewarded one day. Had it been that the carpenter knew that the house will be his own, he would have not use inferior material.So try to be good all the time.
What a story to have you thinking of the way we live our lives, by not giving his best he ended up with one of the worst job he ever did. when we live our lives day by day the way the bible said life can be different.
The bible said that everything we do, do it as unto the Lord, so if this carpenter had build that house as unto the Lord what a house he would have been living in today.
This is a great story that we all can learn from. I myself am learning a great deal at 56 years of age. I know at long last that God should have been my first
priorty and nothing else. My life has now changed and He and His Son Jesus are first and I hope the house I build now is one the Carpenters Son will be most proud of.
Pardon the pun but this hit the nail on the head. Need to fwd it to my daughter-in-law.
Thank you.
What a poignant inspirational message. I love it! Its point includes everything one does in life. It has me also think of a heavenly Father’s love for his creation, of which we are his own. As the carpenter’s message is also about relationship with others, not just family and friends, but also the people’s lives we touch. One should be as giving and respectful of others, as one is of their own self. For it is, one never knows when entertaining angels (Heb. 13:2 {AV}.
Suzanne McMillen-Fallon, Published Author (year-end 2010)
http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich?
You’re welcomed, Greg W. The carpenter’s story is wonderfully uplifting. In addition, its wisdom not only stands the test of time, it’s true. Isn’t it comforting to know that we’re so loved that even angels watch over one? Even more so, Jesus Christ walks beside one. Enjoy life, as it’s meant to be for all of God’s creation of whom we are his own. My novel “Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich? prayerfully inspires the love of God. Its genre is given Christian biography and it will be in the Marketplace by year-end 2010. Its message believes in something bigger than one’s self. I know so very little, but for the following: “There’s one thing I know-God exists.” “If you have an open mind, you never know where God is going to lead you.” Yes, reflecting hope through one’s self reveals a heavenly Father’s omnipresence at work loving his creation. So blessed is man. Thanks again for your kind e-mail, Greg.
Suzanne McMillen-Fallon, Published Author
Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich?
An inspirational nd truly awesome story,
Nothing much to say but jus wanted to add dat i accidently viewed a ppt frm this website nd i started receiving such mails nd this tym i cud not resist in leaving a COMMENT. U people of this “Inspiration by GOD” r doing a really wonderful job, ALLAH bless u always in making you keep doing such jobs.
ANNIE i hope your matter is resolved nd if not “ALLAH bless u in receiving whatever you desire: AAMEEN”
To my understanding, the moral of The Carpenter Story was: Don’t do unto others what you wouldn’t do to yourself. The carpenter was being selfish – he looked at his own self interest in wanting to retire at whatever cost to others. The well known principle is appropriate here: As you sow you reap. In the end the carpenter had to suffer lasting mental torment by having to live in a decrepit house which he thought he had built for others to live.
Thank you for sending me the story – it certainly is a good reminder of how our daily actions should be thought through or performed which are in the interest of others rather than our own.
Annie, believe in god and my prayers are with you. I hope things have worked out for you. Adverse situuations are a test for us and I am sure you will pass this with flying colours.
God wants us to do everthing with a willing heart.
To Annie,
Always keep God first. Everything and everybody else is gone, but God is still there. He will never give you more than you can bear. He is always on your side. Keep lookng to Him for whence cometh your help. Your help comes from God and God alone. He will never leave you nor forsake you. I lost a house and car. But God saw me through. All these things are materialistic. He gave you that apartment He will give you another one. Just don’t give up. Don’t think negative, think positive. God is positive. There is nothing negative about Him. He is there, just keep looking up. Read Psalms 27 and Psalms 121. You and your family are in my prayers. I don’t know you but God does. He said to pray one for another. God bless
Yvette
WOW! Great story Greg!