tion of Christ) gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble." Before we complete the concept in verse 13, let us make an application. Note that there were a variety of ways in which people could build on the one foundation of Christ. Pastors, teachers, parents, Sunday school teachers, counselors, all of us need to be very careful how we build because, as verse 12 indi cates, there are good ways and poor ways to build. Consider the building materials here in verse 12. "Gold, silver and precious stones" (or perhaps more correctly, "costly stones'") are quality materials and special adornments. Costly stones could be a reference to marble or granite, or for us today, perhaps terrazo or slate. The thrust is sim ply that you can build with fine materials that will last, materials that are substantial and attractive. But you have another set of ma terials, "wood, hay and stubble." In Paul's day, these were also build ing materials. Remember back in the time of the Egyptian bondage, when the children of Israel had to mix straw with clay to make their own building blocks. In a certain way, grass and straw were still used in building in Paul's day. But these are inferior materials. They provide some kind of protection, but wood, hay and stubble cannot stand the test of time as do gold, silver and precious stones. Both sets of materials can be used in construction. Both aid in building. But one is costly and time consuming and the other is very quick and cheap. For the Christian leader, there are also two ways of building the body or of presenting Christ and the Word of God. A competent method takes study, ap plication, time and effort, and ear- Page 37
in Paul's day, historically, it is used by Homer as a reference to some one who was skilled in a craft. It described a good craftsman. I sus pect Paul uses this word in its old er or archaic sense to point out that he is as skilled in laying foun dations as the talented artisan was at creating a fine statue. It is Paul's way of stressing that winning souls is a noble work. We should learn that reaching people for Christ is as demanding and as honarable as teaching the intrica cies of doctrine. An evangelist is never to be put down in favor of a teacher — such distinction and the resulting strife are wrong. When Paul says he is a "master builder," he is telling us that he functions as an architect. In the Creek, this concept refers to the "lead man" or the "person in charge." Paul probably is under scoring the fact that the foundation is all important. Not only is the foundation of God's design under his control, but the building, that is, Christians, are strengthened by men who are to be judged of God. No one pastor, teacher or parent should be placed on a pedestal. Each is subject to God, and God alone deserves the praise and glory. Referring specifically to Chris tian teachers and leaders, Paul writes at the end of I Corinthians 3:10, "But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon" (upon this foundation of Christ). "Take heed" means "to keep your eyes open." What Paul is saying in a very forceful way is, "You have got to keep your eyes open, be cause it is easy to build poorly. It is so easy to do an inferior job." Now notice the beginning of verse 12, "Now if any man build upon this foundation (the founda
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