10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. – 1 Corinthians 3:10
“A man came across three masons who were working at chipping chunks of granite from large blocks. The first seemed unhappy at his job, chipping away and frequently looking at his watch. When the man asked what it was that he was doing, the first mason responded, rather curtly, “I’m hammering this stupid rock, and I can’t wait ’till 5 when I can go home.”
”A second mason, seemingly more interested in his work, was hammering diligently and when asked what it was that he was doing, answered, “I’m molding this block of rock so that it can be used with others to construct a wall. It’s not bad work, but I’ll sure be glad when it’s done.”
”A third mason was hammering at his block fervently, taking time to stand back and admire his work. He chipped off small pieces until he was satisfied that it was the best he could do. When he was questioned about his work he stopped, gazed skyward and proudly proclaimed, “I…am building a cathedral!”
“Three men, three different attitudes, all doing the same job.”
Now, I understand that many variations of that story have been told over the years, but it continues to beg the same question, what are we doing? and more importantly what is our attitude in that work?
Paul is essentially telling a similar story to the people at the Church in Corinth. He tells them that he has laid a foundation, and there is no need for any other foundation to be laid, but to build upon this one foundation. Paul warns, however, that whatever you do to build upon this foundation, it will be tested by fire.
The point here is to make us realize that if we are starting with the very best foundation, that is, a faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of God; that through is life, death, and resurrection we have access to God, we have forgiveness of our sins, and we have new life as co-heirs to the kingdom of God; then, wherever we grow from there, we need to remember the foundation. We need to choose the choicest materials with which to build our life in Christ. These are perhaps akin to the fruit of the spirt – love, joy, peace, kindness, etc. Throughout this life, our ‘building materials’ will be tried by the fires of this world and perhaps the fires of evil, therefore, we need to be able to stand strong.
When our outlook is not on the work, but on the kingdom of God, than finding our way to build such character allows us to give glory to God each step of the way, awaiting the glorious revelation day of completion.
Grace & Peace,
Sam