Building Work That Will Remain

While rejoicing in the increase,we sincerely want to see people continue to love Jehovah, listen to his voice and stick to him. We are sad when we see some cool off and fall away. Can we do anything to prevent this? In another illustration, Paul shows how we can help others to develop faith. He writes: "No man can lay any other foundation than what is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on that foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood materials, hay, stubble, each one's work will become manifest, for the day will show it up, because it will be revealed by means of fire; and the fire itself will prove what sort of work each one's is."-1Corinthians 3:11-13.

In Paul's illustration of the field, growth depends on conscientious planting, regular watering and God's blessing. The apostle's other illustration highlights the Christian minister's responsibility for what becomes of his building work. Has he built on a sure foundation with quality materials? Paul warns: " Let each one keep watching how he is building." (1Corinthians 3:10) Having aroused a person's interest by telling him or her about the hope of everlasting life in Paradise, do we focus our teaching on just the basics of Scriptural knowledge and then lay emphasis principally on what the person must do to get eternal life? Could our teaching consist solely of this: 'If you want to live forever in Paradise, you must study, go to meetings and share in the preaching work'? If so, we are not building the person's faith on a solid foundation, and what we build may not resist the fire of trials or stand the test of time. Trying to draw people to Jehovah just by the hope of life in Paradise in exchange for a few years spent serving him is like building with "wood materials, hay and stubble."

Next time: Building Love For God And Christ