Eternity Minded

Picture there is a house being built in your neighborhood. The one in charge of the house being built lays the foundation. But he calls four others to build the walls. Each is allowed to use whatever materials he wants, to build his wall. The first has imagined and studied and really wants it to be the most exquisit building anyone could imagine. He chose to use gold for his wall and hopes that those who build the other three walls will follow his example, afterall this building is to show the glory of the king. The second also wanted to build an incredible building for the king, but had limited resources. So the second used silver for his wall. The third builder came along. He had not had the time to prepare and just showed up on time to build his side of the wall. But because he was unprepared, he was only able to use wood for his wall. The last builder came along, he lacked interest and just wanted to build a wall because it seemed like that's what everyone was doing. But the deadline for his side of the wall to be built and he had been busy doing his own thing and forgotten about the deadline. It was the day before his wall was to be done, when he remembered. So the fourth man grabbed some straw and quickly built his wall, never considering that the straw would not last through the weather.As for the roof, it had been finished by the head builder too.
The time came for the king (who was also the one who had laid the foundation) to come. He came to examine the building and explained that each would receive a reward according to how pleased he was with their wall. The king went on to explain that he would be testing the structure. Then the king proceeded to pull out a match and light the building on fire. People stood around in shock that he would do such a thing, but unable to look away. The fourth man's wall immediately burned and the fire continued on to the third man's wall. The third wall burned a bit slower, but it too burned. The king had a sad look in his eyes as he watched the last two walls burn to the ground and the last two men also looked more serious and less confident than they had moments before. But the fire continued on. The second man looked nervous as he watched the fire, but his wall began to take another shape. And the time came for the first wall to be tested by the fire. Eyes became fixated on the walls of gold and silver. Rather than burning to the ground, the walls were being transformed and the whole structure was completed. The king turned to look at the first two men, his eyes shinning with love. To the first two men, the king presented the greatest reward that any could imagine, a place in his kingdom.
You see, God has layed the foundation with the gospel. But He designed each believer to be in community with each other and together to build a body which glorifies Him. However, some only follow the crowd and their contribution to the body is more harmful than helpful. Some just get distracted by the world and go to church and read their Bibles a few times a week, but don't really invest in the body. Still others desire to follow Christ, but are unable to see clearly and lack knowledge to be able to fully invest in the body. But God is most pleased with those who are willing to see the hope of the finished work and are willing to give all to see the One they love glorified.
" According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each 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. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." -1 Cor. 3:10-15