Gold, silver and precious stones
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:12).
In the third chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul describes how he and Apollos were involved in the service of God. He speaks about how he had planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. It is good to see Paul recognising Apollos’ service and demonstrating how their work was harmonised and used by God to bring an increase in the Gospel and the building up of the people of God. Paul gives God the glory because He is the one who alone gives this increase. Paul had laid a foundation in Christ, but he recognises everything is done under the hand of God, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (v. 9). Sometimes we can become detached from this truth and start acting as though the service which God graciously involves us in belongs to us. And we can cease to value the contribution and gift of others. The Lord Jesus always encouraged His disciples to work together in fellowship and understand they were sent by Him, and He would work with them (Mark 16:20). We have different gifts and abilities, and it is a joyous experience when these are blended together for the glory of God.
I baked my first cake last week under the skilled eye of June. I was amazed at how the different ingredients can be blended together to create something remarkable. But it was all done under the direction of one person. God takes His people, who can be so diverse, and blends us into a fellowship of life, love and light. At the same time, He works in each of our hearts, making us more Christlike and uniting us in His love. It is amazing, when visiting the people of God in another country with significant differences of language and culture, how we immediately find joyful fellowship with other Christians because we are one in Christ Jesus.
Paul is primarily thinking of evangelism and the teaching of the doctrines of faith founded in Christ. But we need to heed Paul’s challenge about how we build on this foundation. His list of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, is split between what the fire refines or proves and what it destroys; what is precious and what perishes; what has eternal value and what will vanish. The gold, silver and precious stones have always reminded me of three vital aspects of the Christian life. First, Gold. This was used in the Tabernacle and the Temple, where God was present and was worshipped. We see this in the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:17) and in His people’s righteousness represented in the gold-covered boards (Exodus 26:29) which formed the Tabernacle. Our lives should be a response of worship to God. Second, Silver. This is connected with redemption and the work of Christ. The gold-covered boards were set on two silver bases (Exodus 26:19). This is a wonderful reminder that we stand in Christ and the power of His death and resurrection. Finally, God’s people and their preciousness was represented by the twelve precious stones on the breastplate which was carried over the High Priest Aaron’s heart (Exodus 28:15-30). Now our life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). We are in the heart of the Saviour who is our Great High Priest (Hebrew 4:14). So, how should I build? By worshipping the Father, witnessing to Christ, and working by the Holy Spirit of God to fulfil Christ’s command to love, serve and value my brothers and sisters in Christ.
