1 Corinthians 3:1-23
The foundation
we are building upon, if the work is to be approved, is Christ. And the
materials we chose to build our lives upon must be prepared for the testing by
fire.
True story. I could
not make this up! Doing a most unusual activity in my office this morning…I was
sorting the growing pile and making liberal use of "File 13," when I
opened a recently-received periodical to scan for any article of relevance or
interest. This bold print that stared me in the face:
U.K.-based
Stramit
StrawBoard is reportedly
seeking to establish U.S.
manufacturing for its wall
systems made of straw,
such as wheat and rice.
I could NOT make
that up! It comes from an article titled, Building
Blocks of a Different Nature by Bailey Webb. In it Webb writes, "Whether
you have a small or a large budget, the key is to have the priorities that were
established in the master planning phase guide the decisions made regarding the
selection of building materials. Church facilities and buildings need to be
looked at in their totality, always keeping in mind the overall master plan
developed at the beginning of the planning process. Just as the master plan
should reflect the vision of the church and its ministries, the materials selected should align with
the mission and priorities established." (Emphasis added)
I love
construction. I love watching a blueprint become a skeleton, then an enclosed
shell and finally an inhabitable abode. I love the process. I find great
pleasure in studying the use of materials. But when it comes to my OWN
projects, I tend to be a "what is the least costly, most affordable,
reusable piece of scrap available. That will do, lets use that" kind of
handyman. In other words, I was well trained by my father to make use of
whatever happens to be available!
But straw? I have
been in "prairie soddies" and even in a straw house plastered over
for ascetic appeal, but a straw church? Who would even consider building a
church of straw?
Well, apparently
this is not a completely new 21st century concept. As Paul begins
his "turn-around" letter to the First Church of Corinth, he actually
exhorts them on the careful selection of building materials. Having reminded
them that the only acceptable foundation upon which a Church could be erected
is Jesus Christ--that is, His finished work on the Cross--he then writes, "Now
if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
hay, straw,
each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to
be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's
work." 1 Cor. 3:12-13
Now, we are all
familiar with the fool who built his house on the sand. We would NEVER be so
foolish as to do THAT, would we? But
building the Lord's dwelling place out of straw? Declaring His worth with the
least costly, most easily accessible resources? Going cheap on God?!
Three house
additions later and a host of upkeep projects, we are very familiar with the
yellow construction permit process. The instructions declare, "Must be
posted where visible from the street…" And we also know that the work has
not been completed until the official inspector has signed off on the
workmanship. One of the significant points of focus in the examination process
is the quality of construction materials.
The foundation
we are building upon, if the work is to be approved, is Christ. And the
materials we chose to build our lives upon must be prepared for the testing by
fire.
I think I'll
take a pass on ordering the promotional packet from the U.K.-based Stramit StrawBoard. How about you?
See
you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom
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