Jezus ontving hen en vertelde hun over het Koninkrijk van God. En Hij genas de mensen die genezing nodig hadden. Lukas 9:11

Seeds of the Kingdom

Gold, Silver, and Jewels

by Liz Griffin

2 October 2025

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But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.
1 Corinthians 3:13, NLT

Most of our possessions deteriorate with time and we throw them away when they become too shabby. So, it is amazing when we see an ancient gold ring dug out of the ground and we see it shining brightly and in perfect condition. Gold is indestructible. It does not go rusty in the damp soil of the ground. It remains beautiful forever. No wonder people have worked hard to mine for such things as gold, silver, and precious stones, and considered them to be so valuable.

King Solomon lavished gold and jewels on the temple building. `He decorated the walls of the Temple with beautiful jewels and with gold from the land of Parvaim` (2 Chronicles 3:6).

Both the temple and the ark of the covenant, signifying God`s presence, were adorned with gold, and the high priest wore a breastplate with twelve precious gemstones. But after the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, and the Jewish people went into exile, it was never rebuilt.

There was no need for a temple after our Lord Jesus had risen from the dead and commissioned His followers to make disciples for the Kingdom of God. For Peter writes, `And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God` (1 Peter 2:5).

The apostle Paul describes believers as builders for God`s Kingdom. The foundation of the whole building is the Lord Jesus, but we each build on that foundation.

`For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames` (1 Corinthians 3:11-). 17

I have often pondered on what things I have built for the Lord that may be eventually judged as gold, silver, or jewels in eternity. Or am I mistakenly wasting my time building with useless materials in God`s eyes?

Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.

 

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