How much do you have stored up in heaven? How much of it is going to go up in smoke?

 

READ: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

 

1 Corinthians 3:12-13

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (NIV)

 

• “If any man builds on this foundation” = a person’s salvation (v. 10)
• Gold, silver and costly stones = things done for His glory
• Wood, hay, and straw = things done for my glory
• Our work will be shown for what it is – the truth will be revealed
• “The Day will bring it to light” = the Day of judgement
• It will be revealed with fire – God’s holy fire will reveal the motives and the quality of our work.
• Whatever is left is our reward (v. 14)
• If it is all burned up, then I will have nothing to bring into His Kingdom

APPLICATION:

• Check your motives
• Why am I doing this?
• Who am I relying on when I do ministry?
• Am I more concerned about earthly things or heavenly things?

Almost all of us have built something, a fort, a go kart, or a kite only to have it fall apart before we even got to really enjoy it. I remember one time I built this bike from scratch. It was made up of parts that were just laying around or that I had gotten from other kids around the neighborhood. I even spray painted it with some of the left over paint that my dad had laying around. It looked like a camouflage mess by the time I was finished, but I was so proud of that bike. I couldn’t wait to show my friends this cool bike that I had built. We all joined up at our friend’s house and rode down to the empty lot at the end of our neighborhood. We had built a track there complete with a big dirt jump that we could fly off of. When we got there I wanted to be the first one to go off the jump on my new bike. I rode to the top of the hill and gripped my handle bar as I peddled down the hill as fast as I could. I can still remember the exhilaration as I raced down that hill on my “camo” painted bike! I hit that jump as fast as I could and began to fly through the air. It was awesome … for about two seconds. Because that was how long it took before my front tire flew off of the front of my bike. You can imagine the look on my face as I realized what was about to come. Well, after I picked myself up off of the ground and checked all over for any broken bones, my friends began to rib me for having built such a great bike! All morning long they teased me until I couldn’t take it anymore and walked my bike back home with tears running down my dusty face, and a wheel in my hand.

 

Life can be like that sometimes. Most of us have experienced the pain of really working at a relationship only to watch it fall apart before our very eyes. Or maybe, like me you have set out to give that awesome talk or Bible study only to fall flat on your face. And many times after looking back we come to the realization that the reason things didn’t work out is because we were attempting it all on our own power. There wasn’t even a brief moment where we sought the Lord or His wisdom and direction. We just leaned forward and raced down that hill under our own volition only to end up in a pile of wreckage in the end.

 

Sometimes people will live their whole lives this way. They go to church faithfully, and they tithe, or maybe even teach Sunday school. But what was it all for? Who were they doing it for? Why were they doing it?

 

For those of us who have placed our faith in Christ, when the years have gone by, and we have finally lived our last breath there will be an ultimate test. It won’t determine whether or not we get to enter into heaven, but how much is there waiting for us.

 

According to this passage it is our works that will be judged, not our salvation because that is already a forgone conclusion (Acts 16:31). What will be judged is all that we have done or our works. That time that you helped your new neighbor move into their house, was that for you or was that for the Lord? Or what about all of the times that you volunteered at church? Was that done “as unto the Lord” or was it for your own gratification?

 

The wood, hay, and straw mentioned in this passage are all of the things that we did for ourselves, or for our own recognition. Those things when tested by fire will merely burn up. But the gold, silver, and costly stones are the things that we did for His glory. We did them for others, but ultimately for Him to receive the praise. Those are the things that will withstand the fire, and will remain. Those are the things that will last for eternity.

 

Revelation 22:12 says, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” What will be your reward? How much of your treasure will you have left when it is all said and done?

 

Ask God to show you what you have in your account thus far. Is it something that will withstand the flames or are you getting ready for a fire sale?

 

Each week’s Monday Motivation is taken from the reading schedule found in the Life Journal. If you are ready for the next step in your discipleship, then order yours today or see me for a copy.

www.lifejournal.cc

 

If you would like help in growing in your faith, or if you would like to know how to have faith in Him, then please contact us at (928)636-2949 or email me at pastorguy@cvgrace.com