What do the gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble represent in 1 Corinthians 3?
In 1 Corinthians 3, gold, silver, and precious stones picture a believer’s works that survive the Lord’s fiery examination, while wood, hay, and stubble picture works consumed like smoke. The difference is primarily motive: whether works are done for God’s honor and glory rather than to please the flesh or others.
Les explains that every believer builds on the foundation of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Every believer’s work will be made manifest—put in the spotlight—and examined by the fiery eyes of the Lord Jesus. Gold, silver, and precious stones represent the works the fire cannot touch; wood, hay, and stubble represent the works that go up in a puff of smoke. Les says this is primarily based on motive: why we do what we categorize as good works—whether to please the flesh, to please someone else, or strictly for God’s honor and glory.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.