Don’t Build a Life That Burns | 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

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Our text today is 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

Every day, you’re building something — habits, choices, reactions, priorities.
You may not see it, but a structure is rising.

And Paul says one day, God will test what you built.

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. — 1 Corinthians 3:12–15

This is one of the most sobering texts in 1 Corinthians.

Paul's not talking about salvation — that foundation is in place. He’s talking about what you build on that foundation.

And he says plainly: some things survive God’s fire, and some things burn.

Gold. Silver. Precious stones. Enduring items like these represent costly obedience, sacrificial love, perseverance, faithfulness, and holiness.

Wood. Hay. Straw. These represent shortcuts, ego, comfort, laziness, worldliness, and half-hearted faith.

And here’s the truth most believers never think about: You can spend years building something that won’t survive one second of the Refiner's Fire.

Not because God is cruel — but because his fire reveals the truth.

It reveals what was built for Him…
and what was built for you.

It exposes our motives, not to shame us, but to strengthen us.

And Paul’s point is simple: Build what lasts — because everything else will burn.

Your energy, your time, your thoughts, your habits — they’re either forming something eternal or something disposable.

So today, ask yourself: Am I building with gold, or am I settling for straw?

The good news?
You can modify the materials today.
You can start building with materials that last.

DO THIS:

Identify one “straw” habit today — something easy but empty. Replace it with a “gold” habit — something costly but eternal.

ASK THIS:

1. What am I building that won’t matter in eternity?
2. What part of my life needs stronger, costlier materials?
3. What would building with “gold” look like this week?

PRAY THIS:

Father, teach me to build a life that lasts. Burn away what’s worthless and strengthen what’s eternal in me. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Refiner”