In 1 Corinthians 3:9-17, the apostle Paul likens the

ecclesia to a building. In this analogy, he likens our

works to "gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,

stubble" which men add to the ecclesia built upon the

foundation of Christ. Some of the works abide while

others are consumed.

In other words, not all things that brethren do for

the ecclesia are equal in value. Some works are

precious while others are not very valuable. This is

not a condemnation of the lesser works, however, as

all of the works are building up the ecclesia. We are

assured that this brother or sister with the lesser

works is acceptable to God as Paul goes on to say "If

any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

There is another class of works that are not

acceptable to God. These are men who are not building

up the ecclesia, but destroying it. Of these men Paul

states "if any man defile the temple of God, him shall

God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which

temple ye are." Not only will their works not survive

inspection by fire, they themselves will be consumed.

So we see then, in light of this analogy, a framework

for dealing with people in the ecclesia. Some mature,

spiritually-minded brethren produce works that are

precious in their contribution to the building up of

the ecclesia. Some brethren, less mature, but no less

important to the building itself, will bring lesser

works. Their works are not of a lasting, spiritual

nature, but are those of an immature babe in Christ.

They need the mature to bear with them and encourage

them.

We learn from this analogy, that it is not those

immature brethren who try and fail that will be judged

severely, it is those who are tearing down the works

of others. We remember the parable of the wheat and

the tares. The wheat and the tares (weeds) are to

grow up together in the ecclesia. If we are weeding in

the ecclesia otherwise healthy plants are destroyed.

In judging their works and refusing those immature in

Christ to bring their wood, hay and stubble, we are

acting the part of the weeder.

We are encouraged by what Paul tells us because it

lets us know that everyone has something to contribute

from the newly baptized to those long in the truth.

Our personal objective should be to contribute the

best of what we have to the building up of the

ecclesia. We all have different talents and

abilities. Everyone should take up the battle cry of

the brethren from the days of Nehemiah when they said

"Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their

hands for this good work."

Have a great week!

Kyle