1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (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.
As Christians, we want to ensure our work for the Lord endures the test of fire! Paul compares our service to building a house on the foundation of Christ, using gold, silver, and precious stones rather than wood, hay, and stubble.
Gold, silver, and costly stones represent work that is durable, valuable, and eternal. They are services done with the right heart motive: out of love for God, for His glory, and in obedience to His Word; ministries that point to Christ rather than to us, with characters built on the fruit of the Spirit; and acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name, not for recognition.
In contrast, wood, hay and straw represent work that is shoddy, temporary, and worthless in an eternal sense. They are not necessarily “bad” or sinful activities, but they could be good religious activities done for the wrong reasons or out of the wrong motives.
Fire doesn’t just destroy; it also reveals and tests quality. It will expose the hidden motives of the heart that no one else could see—sometimes even motives hidden from ourselves. Fire will reveal the answers to these questions: “Why did I do what I did?” and “Was it for God’s glory, or for my own?” We should serve out of our love for God and people.
We should also be mindful that we will give an account to God at the judgement seat of Christ for how we have lived for Him and how we have administered all that He has entrusted to us. Therefore, we should be wise in managing our time to serve Him and be faithful with His resources, knowing that we will all appear before the judgement seat of Christ to be accountable. We should also ensure that our motives in serving are right, so that our service will withstand the test of fire on the day of judgement and be revealed as gold and precious stones rather than wood or hay. We should also serve faithfully as stewards of God’s gifts and talents.
That “well done” is the reward. It is worth more than any promotion, paycheque, or praise on earth because it comes from God, whom we love.
Stop wasting your life on temporary treasures! We cannot take our house to heaven, but we can send our hospitality ahead; we cannot take our degrees, but we can send our teaching; we cannot take our bank account, but we can send our generosity. Serving God stores up treasures in heaven!
Reflection: Describe your desire and motivation for serving God and His people. What might you ask God to change?
Sermon Series ： Investing in a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
积攒永恒的财宝
哥林多前书 3:12-14 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；作为基督徒，我们都盼望自己为主所做的工，能够经得起火的试验！保罗将我们的服事比作在基督的根基上建造房屋，要用金、银、宝石，而不是草木、禾秸来建造。
金、银和宝石代表那些坚固、宝贵并且具有永恒价值的服事。这些服事是出于正确的动机：因着爱神、为着神的荣耀，并顺服祂的话语；是让人看见基督，而不是高举自己；是建立在圣灵果子上的生命品格；也是奉耶稣的名所行的善举，而不是为了得到人的认可。
相反地，草木、禾秸代表那些粗糙、短暂、在永恒中毫无价值的工作。这些不一定是“坏事”或罪恶的行为，但可能是出于错误动机而做的宗教活动，或是为了自己而不是为了神。
火不仅会毁坏，也会显明并试验工程的品质。它会揭露人心中隐藏的动机，那些别人看不见、甚至连我们自己都未察觉的动机。火会显明这些问题的答案：“我为什么做这件事？”以及“我是为了神的荣耀，还是为了自己？”因此，我们应当因着爱神和爱人的心来服事。
我们也要谨记，将来都要在基督的审判台前向神交账，交代我们如何为祂而活，以及如何管理祂所托付给我们的一切。因此，我们应当智慧地运用时间来服事祂，并忠心管理祂所赐的资源，因为我们都要站在基督的审判台前接受察验。我们也应当省察自己服事的动机是否正确，好使我们的服事能够经得起那日火的试验，被显明为金子和宝石，而不是草木禾秸。我们也应当忠心地运用神所赐的恩赐与才干来服事。
那一句“做得好”，就是最大的赏赐。它比世上的升迁、薪水或称赞更宝贵，因为这是从我们所爱的神而来的称许。
不要再把生命浪费在短暂的财宝上！我们不能把房子带到天堂，但我们可以把我们的接待与爱心先送到天上；我们不能把学历带走，但我们可以把教导他人的果效存到永恒；我们不能把银行存款带进天堂，但我们可以把慷慨与奉献积攒在天上。服事神，就是在天上积攒财宝！
默想：
请描述你服事神与服事人的渴望和动机。你会求神改变你生命中的哪些方面？
讲章系列：投资于不能震动的国度