Many years ago, back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I worked for a major architectural firm in the large city I live in. One thing I did was type up their specifications. I learned that a good foundation is very important and crucial to the structural soundness of the whole building. A faulty or weak foundation will compromise the building’s integrity.
Foundations are important, both in actual buildings and in our spiritual life. As Paul says at the end of verse 10, it is important what type of foundation we lay down. And what type of foundation should that be? Paul gives that answer in verse 11. The only sure and true foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ. Not Buddha, not Mohammed, and not any pagan gods. Neither can the foundation be a combination of Jesus and any of them. Those foundations will not bring you a good, strong, safe building for your soul. Neither will a foundation based on some human philosophy or worldview, nor one based on business success or financial gain. Accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and Him alone, is the only sure foundation for one’s life.
Once you have your foundation set, then you need to build on that. No architect just lays a foundation and then says he’s done. A while ago my son and I watched a documentary about the Great Depression and Dust Bowl in the southern plains states. One anecdote told of a man who was building a house. Due to the Depression he ran out of money after the foundation was laid, and all he could do was throw a roof over the basement. He and his family lived in that basement. However, we don’t want to merely be basement dwellers. We need to build on our foundation, by growing in our faith and advancing the cause of the Lord and His Kingdom.
What are we doing for the Lord? What is the motive and heart attitude behind what we do? Verse 12 says we can build with gold, silver, and gemstones. That would be a beautiful building for Jesus. Or, it could be wood, hay or stubble. Whatever we try to build for Jesus will be tried or tested by fire on the day of judgment when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. What did we do for Him? What were our motives and heart’s desire? Was it for man’s praise, or God’s? Did we even do anything for Him, or did we only live for ourselves? Sadly there are some Christians who do absolutely nothing after they get saved. Are we living in the basement, like that man in the southern plains during the Depression?
There are rewards for believers, most of which are handed out in heaven, verses 14-15. Some of us look at others with their land, nice houses, cars, etc., and wish the Lord might bless us like that. We feel that since we are serving God, we should have more blessings. Remember, God never forgets what we’ve done for Him. There will be a reward for good and faithful service. Keep building on your foundation with gold, rubies and emeralds!
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