Both efforts and results count

Paul had a lot to say to the believers in Corinth about eternal rewards.

He was attempting to end an argument over which Bible teacher they should hold in highest regard.  Some advocated for a man named Apollos, another group for Paul, and some for Peter.  Instead of taking sides, Paul points them to something higher up and more important than the name of their favorite preacher:

1 Corinthians 3:5-7
What then is Apollos?  What is Paul?  They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who give the growth.

Pretty clear analogy here.  Putting a seed in the ground or putting water on the seed is small stuff compared to the actual growth of the seed.  That’s the miracle of life, and eternal life is only given to us by God when we believe in Jesus.

Many Christians stop reading the passage here.  However, Paul continues the analogy and provides us with an incredible insight into eternal rewards:

1 Corinthians 3:8-9
Now he who plants and he who waters are one [i.e. – united in purpose], and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God’s coworkers.  You are God’s field, God’s building.

Although all credit goes to the One who gives life and designed it for growth, God will give each coworker his own reward.  Apollos and Paul are servants, but God will reward them according to his own labor – how well they have fulfilled the work God has given them to do.  In this analogy, the Corinthian church is God’s field…and Paul also calls them God’s building.  Switching to the “builder” analogy, Paul shows them that they can be rewarded, too:

1 Corinthians 3:10-11
According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it.  But each one is to be careful how he builds on it.  For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down.  That foundation is Jesus Christ.

Just as Paul “planted” in the farming analogy, he is the master builder laying down the foundation of Jesus Christ for them to build on.  Then Paul warns them – be careful how you build:

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
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.

If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved – but only as through fire.

Most of the New Testament is instruction for how believers can live their lives according to God’s design…how to grow and how to build.  God will look at our life’s work and evaluate what we have done in comparison to the time He has given us. 

For the times we’ve partnered with Him, we’ll find eternal rewards that are valued much like we currently value gold, silver, and costly stones.  For all the work we’ve done selfishly, we’re only storing up wood, hay, and straw.  Both will be evaluated…and the quality of each one’s work will be determined.  And here is the promise: if what we built survives, then we will receive a reward.  And if God called His initial creation “good”, then sign me up for what He considers a reward!

Don’t be confused – this judgment isn’t to determine who goes to heaven and who doesn’t…this evaluation for eternal rewards is only for those who have believed in Jesus for eternal life.  Paul made that clear when he said that those whose work does not survive, while he will experience loss [of receiving a reward], he himself will be saved. 

This isn’t to say there will be “second class citizens” in heaven, either.  However, it is clear that God intends to reward those partner with Him in this life.  So, we gotta ask ourselves…

Am I spending my time and effort on actions with eternal value, or will my activities leave me at a loss?

If you don’t like your answer, then today is a good day to choose differently.

Keep Pressing,
Ken