1st Corinthians 3:12-15 is my verse of the day. Take a read:
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 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. 14If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
There’s a quote I like that says, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.” (Anonymous)
This passage calls to mind this quote. It’s easy to fill your time with things to make it seem like you’re accomplishing something–we work hard and give all at our jobs, we train to succeed in physical feats of greatness, we work hard to be the best at this or that, etc. The question, though, that we need to constantly be asking ourselves is Will my work really count for anything in eternity?
This verse says that our work will be tested by fire. If the things we pursue don’t withstand the fire, we will suffer loss. All our money, affluence, and achievements will be burned; only our relationships and the love we show by the power of Christ will last through the fire.
The encouraging part is that we will be rewarded for the things that last, but we ought to live wisely now.
Today consider how you are living. Will the things you’re investing your time in stand up against the flames of eternity?