Thursday, June 28, 2007

The Three Little Pigs

“No one can lay any other foundation that what has been laid – that is, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-13 CSB)

“Once upon a time, there were three little pigs.” You know the story, but did you know there is a biblical basis for it?

The three pigs were each given the same amount of money and were told to spend it wisely and go out to build their own houses. One bought straw and built a house of straw, which could not withstand the big, bad wolf’s attack. One bought sticks and built his house with them, but his house could not stand against the wolf’s attack either. The third bought bricks and built his house of brick, and that one did hold up against the wolf’s attack.

Paul says that there is one foundation only – Jesus Christ. Each of us builds a life and ministry on that one foundation. The work we do and the life we live will be tested with fire. So, it is important to build with materials that will hold up through the test, so that the work we do will be preserved, and so that the Lord will be honored by it.

Here is a list of building materials that will last and endure the test of fire: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. These materials are available from only one Source – the Holy Spirit.

There are other materials that appear to be sturdy and suitable, items like: aggressiveness, hard-work, self-expression, knowledge, and wisdom. There is nothing wrong with these, but the problem is that they are actually just tools and not building materials. The problem comes when we use them as building materials. But there is no substitute for the real thing.

The test of fire is coming, so be careful about the materials you build with and then how you build.

Lord, Help us to be good stewards of the opportunities You make available to us. Help us to focus on excellence and that which most glorifies You. Amen.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Today I began reading your devotionals. All have been a blessing and reminds me of the times that you taught us at VP. Always was blessed and learned more regarding our walk with our Lord through your teaching. Thanks for being a blessing and enriching my life, Lila Cox