Jesus Style Leadership 3 - Crop & FaithNäide

The Right Building Material

Leadership Lesson

Building the right way is essential to an eternal Crop.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:10–15.

Comment

Not all our work will last forever. Paul explains that we can build in different ways – with precious material (“gold, silver, costly stones”) or with worthless rubbish (“wood, hay, straw”). You might think that wood should be on the list of good building materials. But if the building is going to be tested by fire, then obviously wood is going to be a problem. But this is a clear picture. But what’s the difference between gold and straw in practice? How can we tell whether our Crop will survive God’s test? The main difference revolves around our motives and our dependence on God. Of course, none of us gets these things right all the time, but as we want God to be honoured, as we deeply depend on His power, as we work hard and humbly use His resources, and as we genuinely serve people, eternal things get built on the foundation of the gospel. This is what Jesus-style leaders are doing—building a monument to God. A lot of what you’re doing now is actually going to last forever and bring eternal pleasure to God. Isn’t that incredible? What a reward! Your effort really does count when God is at the centre of what you are doing. So keep on building well.

Prayer

The last thing I want is for all my work and effort to be burned up in eternity. I know that it won’t affect my salvation, but I so much want to make a difference for you, Lord. I would love to be surrounded forever by people whose lives have been changed in some way through my leadership. I so much want to hear your “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Please help me to remain close to you and dependent on you so that I can build with the right material.

Personal Reflection

Choose something you are doing to serve God at the moment. Praise God for this opportunity. What sort of building material are you mainly using? How can you tell?