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The second symbol of service that we are to consider is that of the builder. We
propose to divide the subject into three sections: the foundation, the building and the
materials.
(1) The foundation.--Every building needs a foundation. A house "founded upon a
rock" stands; "built upon the sand", it falls (Matt. 7: 25-27). The foundation for all
spiritual building must be Christ:--
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 3: 11).
All service subsequent to the initial service of the apostle Paul, is related to his work,
as the work of the builder is to that of the architect. "As a wise architect ("master
builder": Greek, architekton), I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon"
(I Cor. 3: 10). No service that we can render can be acceptable unless we build upon the
one foundation laid by God's architect, which foundation is Christ Himself.
(2) The building.--Our chief concern is in the building; God Himself has secured the
foundation. If we are to serve acceptably, not only must we build upon God's
foundation, but we must see that what we build is God's building, for any other erection
there is unwarranted:--
"For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's
building" (I Cor. 3: 9).
How much service is rendered useless by the one fact that what is being built is not
"God's building". Each reader who reads these words of God, should review the work he
has in hand, and ask himself whether or not his energies are engaged in "God's building".
This enquiry must not be limited to social and philanthropic service, for the highest
service, even the preaching of His Word, may fail in relation to "God's building", as did
that of those who preached Christ "even of envy and strife" (Phil. 1: 15).
(3) The materials.--In any building scheme, quite apart from spiritual things, the
material used is of great importance--as can be seen by inspecting the architect's
specifications for a large building. Supposing that we are building upon the true
foundation, and that we are occupied with God's building, all will be in vain if our
materials is not according to specification. It is evident from I Cor. 3: that the building
material represents the builder's "work" and that it is to be tried by fire:--
"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because
it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is"
(I Cor. 3: 12, 13).
Enough has been said, we trust, under this head, to throw some light upon service
viewed as building. We now close with a reference to the third subdivision:--