Store Up Eternal Treasures
ICS Daily Devotions

1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (NKJV) Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

As Christians, we want to ensure our work for the Lord endures the test of fire! Paul compares our service to building a house on the foundation of Christ, using gold, silver, and precious stones rather than wood, hay, and stubble.
Gold, silver, and costly stones represent work that is durable, valuable, and eternal. They are services done with the right heart motive: out of love for God, for His glory, and in obedience to His Word; ministries that point to Christ rather than to us, with characters built on the fruit of the Spirit; and acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name, not for recognition.

1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (NKJV) Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

As Christians, we want to ensure our work for the Lord endures the test of fire! Paul compares our service to building a house on the foundation of Christ, using gold, silver, and precious stones rather than wood, hay, and stubble.

Gold, silver, and costly stones represent work that is durable, valuable, and eternal. They are services done with the right heart motive: out of love for God, for His glory, and in obedience to His Word; ministries that point to Christ rather than to us, with characters built on the fruit of the Spirit; and acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name, not for recognition.

In contrast, wood, hay and straw represent work that is shoddy, temporary, and worthless in an eternal sense. They are not necessarily “bad” or sinful activities, but they could be good religious activities done for the wrong reasons or out of the wrong motives.

Fire doesn’t just destroy; it also reveals and tests quality. It will expose the hidden motives of the heart that no one else could see—sometimes even motives hidden from ourselves. Fire will reveal the answers to these questions: “Why did I do what I did?” and “Was it for God’s glory, or for my own?” We should serve out of our love for God and people.

We should also be mindful that we will give an account to God at the judgement seat of Christ for how we have lived for Him and how we have administered all that He has entrusted to us. Therefore, we should be wise in managing our time to serve Him and be faithful with His resources, knowing that we will all appear before the judgement seat of Christ to be accountable. We should also ensure that our motives in serving are right, so that our service will withstand the test of fire on the day of judgement and be revealed as gold and precious stones rather than wood or hay. We should also serve faithfully as stewards of God’s gifts and talents.

That “well done” is the reward. It is worth more than any promotion, paycheque, or praise on earth because it comes from God, whom we love.

Stop wasting your life on temporary treasures! We cannot take our house to heaven, but we can send our hospitality ahead; we cannot take our degrees, but we can send our teaching; we cannot take our bank account, but we can send our generosity. Serving God stores up treasures in heaven!

Reflection: Describe your desire and motivation for serving God and His people. What might you ask God to change?

Sermon Series ： Investing in a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken