Saturday, November 26, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 3:10–23

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (NRSV)

Reflection

Anyone who plants a tree is not planting it for themselves to enjoy; they are not the ones who will enjoy its cool shade and tasty fruit in the summer or the beauty of its changing leaves in the fall. Anyone who plants a tree is planting it for the next generation to enjoy. In many years the tree will grow and ripen so that one day it will provide shade, fruit, and beauty for all to enjoy. Former Associate Pastor Calum MacLeod was fond of saying this and other bits of wisdom in his thick Scottish accent. His point was that we all play a part in laying a foundation that we may not fully understand or even enjoy, but it is critical that we all do our part in building the foundation, and even the walls and ceiling also, so that others may benefit.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Let each builder choose with care how to build on it.” Like the person who plants a tree, or the person who lays a foundation, none of us is an island, working alone, to accomplish something worthwhile. We do our part to build something but depend on others to complete or care for it.

We do this because we know that even our part, large or small, matters—not just for us but for others, all of whom are God’s children. It matters for the good of creation, made by God. We all have a role to play in making the world a better place and bringing God’s kingdom here on earth. It often begins by planting one small tree, saying one word of kindness, giving in one act of generosity. By doing this we can all play a part in allowing the kingdom of God to break into this world so in need.

Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Reflection written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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