Fireproof Construction

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

We’re in this life thing together.  It’s impossible to not be influenced, good or bad, by those we encounter each day.  Even though we’d like to think we’re solely responsible for our “foundations,” we can’t overlook the fact that others are contributing to our formation too.

Will everyone who comes to work bring the same tools and care about quality craftsmanship?  Nope!  We need to be diligent in who and what we allow to be part of our lives.  If Christ is our cornerstone, then it’s much easier to construct a solid temple, but if, like The Message says, we use “cheap and inferior materials,” the outcome won’t be good.

So, who are we allowing on our job site?  What materials are they bringing that will become permanent elements of our foundation?  Verse 13 says, “It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”  Are we fireproof?  Will we survive?

There may be times we feel our walls are crumbling and they very well may be, but that doesn’t mean hope is lost.  It means we’ll need to rebuild and the materials we use this time will hopefully withstand the next fire, because there will be others.

We pray, we learn, we grow and with God’s grace we come back stronger.

Lord, you are the foreman of my life.  You oversee all aspects of my construction.  May quality materials and upmost care be used to build a life that’s able to withstand whatever tries to tear it down.  Amen.

Lost Treasure

READ: Isaiah 33:2-6

Few things were more devastating to the ancient Israelites than a swarm of locusts. Farmers who had invested months of labor and spent many evenings gazing upon their fields at what was certain to be an abundant harvest were in moments brought to tears as they watched their toil come to nothing, their families reduced to poverty and probable starvation. 

This is what will become of the treasures of the kingdoms of this world when the God of justice makes his power known.

Will you be among those suffering great loss on that day?

Seriously, consider it. 1 Corinthians 3 says that those who build on the foundation of Christ will have their work tested by fire. Build wisely, receive a reward; build foolishly, suffer great loss. Yes, all in Christ will pass into life, but some as ones escaping through the flames.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns us, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” He goes on to tell a parable about a rich man who stored up his wealth thinking he would have many years of leisure to enjoy it only for God to prematurely take his life, separating him forever from the fruit of his labors.

I too once lived like this man, working hard to earn more and more money, saving and investing, only to see much of my wealth wiped out by a sudden reverse in the stock market. My efforts felt so futile then, but I learned the wisdom in Christ’s instruction: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-20)