The Foundation

10By  the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) 

Thoughts: Paul was a foundation guy.  He knew the foundation, and he laid many of them in many different places.  The basic part of the Christian life is not some technique or a prayer- but Jesus Christ himself.  Jesus spoke himself in a parable of the foolish builder who built on sand and the wise builder who built on the rock.  We are called to build out lives on the foundation that will last- that will not wash away.  Further, all ministers who come after church planters are called to continue the work so that the whole building is in line with the work of the foundation- Christ.  The "Day" is the day the Lord comes back and holds us to account.  Today Ann Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, thought that the Lord's coming back- this Day- would be soon.  She points to the founding again of Israel, the preaching of the gospel to every kingdom (Mt. 25:14), and the earthquakes and signs of our day as reminders that it could happen quick.  The work we do is the ministry we have- and each of us is a minister with our own individual calling.  What Paul is saying is that God sees and cares what we do- and the good work will be revealed in the end. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to do your good work.  Help me to continue the good work of those before me, and to lay a foundation for those who follow me.