That’s All the Lumber You Sent

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing].

This Season of Elul is a time to prepare for the Day of Christ in which every follower of Jesus Christ’s work will be judged by Christ. In ancient Greek cities, (as opposed to the Roman concept) the bema was a raised stone platform in the city center. It was not used to condemn criminals or send men to prison. Instead, the magistrate sat there to hand out crowns, wreaths, and commendations to winning athletes or faithful citizens.When Paul writes that “we must all appear before the judgment seat (bema) of Christ,” he envisions an award ceremony hosted by a gracious Lord to recognize faithful life and service, not a courtroom trial for damnation. 

Paul adds further insight to this idea by stating in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,¹³ the work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.¹⁴ If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.¹⁵ But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire.

A builder constructs a house. Some use gold, silver, and precious stones; others use cheap wood, hay, and stubble. When a rigorous fire sweeps through, the cheap materials turn to ash, while the precious metals gleam brighter. The builder whose work burns still escapes the blaze, but has nothing left to show. The spiritual application is that Christ evaluates the motives and quality of a believer’s earthly work. Earthly applause built on selfishness vanishes, but sincere acts done out of love for God endure into eternal reward. There’s an old Christian song entitled, The Lumber Song, by Bob Halligan, Jr., which sums up the culmination of the materials we use to build with:  Said a friend to a friend one day: I was a man who passed away. St. Peter met him at the gate.  Pete said: “Walk with me if you will. I’ll take you to the house you built.” Man said: “I can’t wait!” Passed a mansion made of stone. But with each new house he’s shown. They get smaller by degrees. Stopped in front of a two-room shack. Pete said: “Hope you’re happy with that.” Man said: “How can this be?” Pete say: “That’s all the lumber, that’s all the lumber, that’s all the lumber you sent. Looks like the Builder – man, He’s got your number. That’s all the lumber you sent.” Man didn’t know what to say. The poor guy was blown away. Said: “You mean this is what I deserve?” Pete said: “I’m afraid it’s so. It’s too late but now you know, shoulda done better work.” The lyrics state a profound truth. That which motivates us regarding our good works will be laid bare when we appear before Christ. The spiritual materials we choose to build with will be exposed before the Holy, soul searching Presence of Christ. Question is, How much of what you have done for Jesus will stand the test of His Fire? As Paul repeatedly exhorts us, Love must be sincere.