FAITHFUL SERVICE WILL BE COMMENDED!
FAITHFUL SERVICE WILL BE COMMENDED!
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. —I Corinthians 3:12-15
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. —I Corinthians 4:2
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. —I Corinthians 4:5
How am I building and what am I building with? What is my attitude while I am building? I am to be a trustworthy steward. One day I will appear before the Lord and He will reveal and “disclose the purposes of” my heart. Yes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). “Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”
So am I building with “gold, silver, precious stones—the things that will pass through the Lord’s scrutiny and be commended for? Or, am I building with “wood, hay, straw”—the things that will not pass the Lord’s scrutiny nor be commended for, but instead suffer loss? What does this mean anyway?
Not only will my work be revealed for what it is, but even the motivation behind the work will be known. Faithful service to our Lord will be rewarded (Matthew 25:21; Luke 19:17). Hearing those words “Well done, good and faithful servant” is all I desire to hear spoken to me by my Lord. The service done in faithfulness to His desires will be commended. All other work done for whatever other purposes will be “burned up” and that will be a great loss. Oh, may I serve Him for His glory and not my own, for His honor and not my own, to lift His Name up and not my own. May this be so!
Dear Father may I be serving You according to Your desires and not my own. Be pleased to work in and through me to bring honor and glory to Your Name. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Sx_U0Ztr8