Work Revealed by Test

I have a saying that I use often; “Focus on getting it right, not just getting it done”. I believe that the quality of the work is as, if not more, important than the quantity of the work. I have the opportunity to blow through the work and a fever pace to get more work done and where that may show the dedication to getting tasks completed, the quality of the work may suffer at the hand of speed.

Paul explains to the Corinthians about this very thing in chapter 3 of his 1^st letter.

“¹²Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³each 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.” — 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (ESV)

Here Paul is indicating that work can be done in many different ways and with many different materials. Once the work is completed and each were to be given the same test, the quality of that work would be revealed. It is in the test of the work and the results that show what is really there.

We are not the result of our work, it is the quality of the work that is revealed and that can be improved upon if it indeed is lacking. Notice the words of Paul in the next two verses, especially in the end of verse 15 below.

“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.” — 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 (ESV)

The reward and or loss are that of the work, not that of the individual. We are of what we are and we are certainly worth the work God puts into us. He builds with only the best quality and we are of that quality. It is in the test that our work is revealed, but the work only, as we are of God and cherished by Him.

“¹⁶Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? ¹⁷If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” — 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)

What kind of work are you producing? Are you working to only get things done? What if you worked to get it right as God did with you, what would that reveal through the tests?