Artwork from https://shortstoriesshort.com/story/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/The-Three-Little-Pigs-1.jpg

Ah, I’m finally back at a time when my brain is a bit more fresh. Father, speak through me Your word. I would plead for Your impact on my small corner of the world.
1 Corinthians 3:1-17 (<<click here to read the passage)
As a child, a familiar story was The Three Little Pigs. There are different versions but all of them involve three pigs who build three homes – the first pig’s home was built out of straw; the second was built out of sticks and the third little pig’s home was built out of bricks.
Along comes the big, bad wolf. He’s a pork lover and is out to get them all for a fine meal. He comes to the first pig’s house of straw and calls out, “Little pig! Little pig! Let me in!” The pig calls out, “Not by the hairs on my chinny chin chin!” The wolf replies, “Then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house down.” And that’s exactly what he does! Some versions have him eating pig number one and others have the pig running to pig number two’s house of sticks.
The same banter happens back and forth, with the house falling in and they run to pig number three’s house made of bricks. The scenario is repeated but this time the wolf fails in his attempt to get to the pigs.
There are many variations but the point I want to make is that the only house that withstood the big bad wolf was the house of bricks. The other two houses had nothing to stand on and collapsed with minimal effort from the wolf.
In today’s passage, Paul speaks of the weaknesses of the Corinthians in saying they were followers of Paul or Apollos. Paul uses a couple of examples, planting and watering, and building on a foundation. Both had different people contributing but his emphasis was that God was the one who took what was contributed and brought the growth or was the foundation upon which others built. Unless God factors into the equation, all the “work” we do– watering, planting, building – is to no avail.
The thing is even if pigs one and two had had a solid foundation, their building materials still would not have withstood the wolf’s huffing and puffing. The same goes for us. Read verses 12-15 of our passage.

But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work. If any person’s work which he has built [on this foundation, that is, any outcome of his effort] remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward. But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire. AMP

Genuine followers of Christ will survive the fire, but our works may…or may not yield a reward. The thing is we don’t really know what the reward will be and I honestly feel that God – not us – will determine what will be considered gold…or straw.
Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and let Him lead you to what is best for His Kingdom.

Oct 9th, 2023, Mon, 12:40 pm