What Are You Building?

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

The Apostle Paul is known for the Christology that he laid down for the early church. Christ is the foundation of all that is. His person and work are the starting point of all Christian work. As the hymn says “all other ground is sinking sand.” The question that Paul raises in this passage is not regarding the foundation, but what is built upon that foundation. It is possible for one to begin with the same basic foundation and create all varieties of building projects. He points out that these building will be judged in the final days. Some will be burned up and destroyed because they were made of hay and stubble. Others made with gold and durable goods will last and be rewarded. Lest we get sidetracked into thinking only about ministries or actual projects, Paul reminds us that we are the temples being built. It is our lives that are to be built on this solid foundation of Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Paul makes the point that it is possible to have the right starting point—a solid foundation—and build something worthless on that foundation, something that honors our own egos, rather than God. We can say all the right things and use proper theology to build something that does not honor God. How can this be possible?

We all remember the eighties when some Christian ministries were taken to task because the leaders were using donated funds for personal use—palatial homes, designer clothes, exotic travel. These were the funds that little old ladies sacrificed for the spread of the gospel. The mud of these ministries sent sprays of mistrust over many dedicated and faithful ministries. The foundation of truth had been twisted for personal gain—hay and stubble. I wonder about having Dove awards for Christian musicians who use the Word in their songs to gain adoring fans and red carpet treatment. Lest I get carried away with judgment I have to ask myself why I write about spiritual truths. Is it because I wish to gain a reputation for being wise and insightful? Do I hope to support myself with the books I write? Am I more concerned with income that God be glorified in what I do? These are hard questions and the answers are not always easy to detect covered as they are in muddied motives.

And what about not our vocations and ministries, but our personal lives? How have we taken the truth that has been given to us and applied it to our lives? Are the temples that we are building constructed to honor God? For example do we use our endowed gifts in ways that benefit us rather than serve God? It is possible to use the gift of helps as a means of manipulating others. “I will help you, but you then owe me.” It is possible to use the gift of discernment to control others. “I know what’s best for you, God told me!” It is possible to use the gift of money to build buildings with plaques bearing our own names. You get the idea.

Paul would have us be very aware that it is possible to take a wonderful, solid foundation to build trashy shacks. In the end all will be made known for what they are. Those built with purity of heart and solid commitment to the glory of God will last, all others will be burned to rubble. What kind of building are you building?