Paul wrote to the church in Corinth telling them to stop dividing over mere men.  His point was that no matter who plants the gospel or who waters it, it is God who gives the increase (1st Corinthians 3:1-17).

God provided the gospel as seed.  God commits the spreading of that seed to mere men and women, but he is the only one who can make it grow in the hearts of individuals.

As spreaders of the gospel seed, we must be aware that the “building” we do on Jesus as the foundation, will be tried as if by fire:

“For no man can lay a foundation other the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”  1st Corinthians 3:11-13

Is this passage only for preachers?  When Paul mentions “the day”, he seems to be referring to the final day of judgment when everything regarding everyone’s life will be revealed for what it is.  He would later write in 2nd Corinthians 5:10:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Though Paul says we will be saved, “yet so as through fire” (1st Corinthians 3:15), he certainly seems to be admonishing us that what we do with our lives regarding the kingdom will be a major part in our personal judgment.  How that plays out, I am not sure, but it makes me wonder ……..

What am I doing to influence/lead my family towards God?

Am I letting my light shine among the lost, salting the world?

Am I growing in Christ personally?

___________________ (fill in the blank)

Really.  How serious would you have been about the quality of your work if you were with Noah preparing the ark?  Would you have taken the trouble to learn shipbuilding so that you and yours could survive the coming cataclysm?              

Not a flood this time, but fire.  How will you fare?