Working In the Kingdom

What Are You Building On?

Dear Friends, Paul writes to a church full of squabbles (1 Corinthians 3:10-17), jealousy, and pride in human leaders. He pulls them back to the foundation: “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it” (v10). That foundation is Jesus Christ—nothing else will do.

Everything built on Him will be tested by fire on the Day of judgment (vv12–13). Some work is gold, silver, precious stones—beautiful, enduring, costly. Some is wood, hay, straw—impressive now, but it will burn up. The builder may still be saved, “but only as through fire” (v15). The warning sharpens: “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (v17).

We are not just building our own little spiritual houses—we are part of God’s living temple. Every choice, every attitude, every word spoken in the church either strengthens the structure or weakens it. Paul isn’t talking about perfection; he’s talking about motive and material. Are we building with what lasts—love, humility, truth, faithfulness—or with what dazzles for a moment but crumbles under heat?

Today, pause and look at your own building work. What materials are you laying on the foundation of Christ? The fire is coming, but so is the reward for what endures.

Point to Ponder: The foundation is secure in Christ, but the quality of what we build on it matters eternally.

Verse to Remember: “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV)

Question to Consider: In your relationships, your service, your words in the church—what are you building with today? Gold and silver, or wood and hay?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church