2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV) For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (NKJV) Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
We are called to be faithful in administering the gifts, resources, and preaching of the gospel. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus rebuked the servant who received one talent and did nothing with it. Although this parable talks about money, the same expectations apply to preaching the gospel and to the faithful use of all gifts—spiritual or administrative, because God expects us to be faithful stewards of all the gifts He has given us.
These two passages give us a glimpse of what awaits us when we meet God face-to-face. Everything will be revealed on that day, including the motives of our hearts when we serve. Some serve out of allegiance to someone, such as the Apostle Paul or Apollo (1 Corinthians 3:5), but one should serve because of one’s love for God.
Gold, silver, and costly stones represent work that is durable, valuable, and eternal. They are services done with the right heart motives: out of love for God, for His glory, and in obedience to His Word; ministries that point to Christ, not to us; with characters that are built on the fruit of the Spirit, and acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name, not for our own recognition.
Wood, hay, and straw represent work that is shoddy, temporary, and worthless in an eternal sense. They may not necessarily be bad or sinful activities and could be good religious activities done for the wrong reasons.
Fire reveals and tests quality; it exposes the hidden motives of the heart that no one else can see—sometimes even hidden from ourselves. We should ask, “Why did I do it?” “Was it for God’s glory, or for my own?” We should always serve out of our love for God and people.
We will one day give an account before the judgement seat of Christ for how we lived for Him and how we stewarded what He entrusted to us. Therefore, we should manage our time wisely in His service and be faithful with the resources He has given us, knowing that every believer will stand before Christ to answer for their stewardship.
Our service should stem from love and obedience, so that our works can withstand the refining fire on that day—emerging like gold and precious stones rather than being consumed like wood or hay.
Reflection: When considering your service and work, how can you ensure that your motives align with God’s glory and love, so that your work will withstand the test of fire?
Sermon Series: Stewardship is Established in Love
经火仍存的工作
哥林多后书5:10 因为我们众人必要在基督台前显露出来，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或恶受报。
哥林多前书3:12-15 若有人用金、银、宝石、草、木、禾秸在这根基上建造，各人的工程必然显露；因为那日子要将它表明出来，有火发现，这火要试验各人的工程怎样。人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得赏赐；人的工程若被烧了，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救，虽然得救，乃像从火里经过的一样。
我们蒙召，要忠心管理神所赐的恩赐、资源，以及福音的托付。在“按才干受托”的比喻中，主责备那领了一千却什么也不做的仆人。虽然这个比喻提到的是金钱，但同样的原则也适用于传福音和一切恩赐的运用——无论是属灵的还是行政的，因为神期望我们在祂所赐的一切上都作忠心的管家。
这两段经文让我们预见，当我们与神面对面时将要经历的情景。那一天，一切都要显明出来，包括我们服事时内心的动机。有些人服事是出于对某个人的拥护，比如保罗或亚波罗（林前3:5）；但我们真正服事的原因，应当是出于对神的爱。
金、银、宝石代表那些持久、有价值、具有永恒意义的工作。这些是出于正确动机的服事：因爱神、为荣耀祂、顺服祂的话语；是指向基督而非指向自己；是在生命中结出圣灵果子所建立的品格；以及奉耶稣之名所行的善行，而不是为了自己的名声。
草木、禾秸则代表那些粗糙、短暂、在永恒中毫无价值的工作。这些未必是罪恶的行为，甚至可能是“好的宗教活动”，却是出于错误的动机而做的。
火要显明并试验工程的质量；它揭露人心中隐藏的动机——这些动机别人看不见，有时甚至连我们自己也未察觉。我们应当常常问自己：“我为什么这样做？”“是为神的荣耀，还是为自己？”我们的一切服事，都应当出于对神和对人的爱。
有一天，我们都要在基督的审判台前交账，说明我们如何为祂而活，以及如何管理祂所托付给我们的。因此，我们应当善用时间，忠心使用祂所赐的一切资源，因为每一个信徒都要向基督交代自己的管家职分。
愿我们的服事都根基于爱与顺服，使我们的工作在那日能经得起火的试炼，如金银宝石般存留，而不是像草木禾秸一样被烧毁。
默想：
当你审视自己的服事与工作时，你如何确保自己的动机与神的荣耀和爱对齐，使你的工作能够经得起火的试验？
讲章主题：管家职分建立在爱中