Daily Devotion

 With Pastor Ancel Presnell

“CHOOSING MATERIALS THAT LAST”

1 Corinthians 3:12 “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”

Building personal faith involves a choice of materials. Paul identifies non-perishable materials—gold, silver, and precious stones—and perishable materials—wood, hay, and stubble.

Gold represents the character of God and the perfection of His Word. “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10). Silver represents redemption and grace, required for the ransom of a soul (Exodus 30:15). Precious stones represent the redeemed people of God, described as “the stones of a crown” (Zechariah 9:16).

Wood, hay, and stubble are useful, but temporary. The real issue with perishable materials is a wrong motive. Activity does not equal spiritual durability or sincerity. Fire will test the work. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest… it shall be revealed by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Wood is a common material used in building. In some cultures, and regions, hay or grass is used for roofing, and it serves its purpose. Even the grain given to cattle is made up of stubble, stalks, husks, and fragments. Wood, hay, and stubble all have usefulness. They are not bad materials. They can all be useful. However, none of these materials are durable when subjected to fire. When intense heat is applied, they are consumed. They are temporary.

In the same way, works done with wrong motives may appear productive and useful, but they lack spiritual durability. Activity does not equal sincerity or lasting value. When the fire comes, motives are exposed. What determines what remains is not the work itself, but the foundation upon which it is built. When a life and its works are built on the proper foundation—Christ—the foundation remains secure, even when the work is tested.