No, Christians do not work for salvation; they work for rewards after salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that salvation is by faith plus nothing, and Christian service is for reward, not salvation. He uses 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 to show that believers who build with gold, silver, and precious stones receive rewards, while those with wood, hay, and stubble suffer loss of reward but are still saved.
1 Corinthians 3:14-15 — This passage directly distinguishes between receiving a reward for enduring work and suffering loss of reward while still being saved.
The Bible teaches that while salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and not of works, believers are to labor for rewards. In 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, Paul describes believers as laborers building on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He uses the imagery of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble to represent different types of work. Verse 14 states that if a man's work abides, he shall receive a reward. Verse 15 says that if his work is burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. This shows that works are for reward, not for salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that Christians do not work to obtain salvation; salvation is complete the moment we believe, and we are placed in the Body of Christ. However, after salvation, believers are to labor, work, and serve to gain rewards at the bema seat of Christ. He emphasizes that the fire of judgment will test each believer's work, and those who build with gold, silver, and precious stones (rightly motivated works) will receive rewards, while those with wood, hay, and stubble (ego-enhancing works) will suffer loss of reward but not lose salvation. Les encourages believers to work for the reward, which is laid up for them in heaven and will be enjoyed for eternity.
Les teaches that God gives believers six materials to build with: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble. He points out that gold, silver, and precious stones are not found lying outside the front door; they require hard work to obtain, like a miner searching for gold. Wood, hay, and stubble are readily available and represent works that are not rightly motivated and count for nothing.
Les explains that if a believer's work is wood, hay, and stubble, it will be burned and the believer will suffer loss—not of salvation, but of reward. He emphasizes that the believer himself will still be saved, as 1 Corinthians 3:15 shows. He fears this will be the case for many Christians who go to meet the Lord with nothing in their section of the wall but old sticks.
Les teaches that gold, silver, and precious stones represent works that are rightly motivated—done for God's glory, not for ego or self. He contrasts this with works that enhance the ego, which will end up as wood, hay, and stubble. Motivation is key to whether a work is rewarded.
Les says that because salvation is secure, believers should not become lazy but should work to further God's work and gain reward. He uses the analogy of Olympic athletes who train and strive to win a prize. Believers are to serve and work diligently because rewards are laid up for them in heaven and will be enjoyed for eternity.
Building Materials
Les explains that believers are building on the foundation of Christ and that gold, silver, and precious stones are not easy to find, requiring effort, unlike wood, hay, and stubble.
Salvation vs. Reward
Les clarifies that if a believer's work is wood, hay, and stubble, they will suffer loss of reward but not salvation, emphasizing that works are for reward, not salvation.
Reward Accumulation
Les teaches that believers should work to God's glory because rewards are piling up and will be cashed in later.
Motivation
Les explains that gold, silver, and precious stones are rightly motivated works for God's glory, while ego-enhancing works become wood, hay, and stubble.
Rewards Drive
Les encourages believers to be driven by the prospect of rewards that are laid up for them and enjoyed for eternity.
Laborers for Reward
Les points out that believers are laborers who will give an account for what they have done, not for sins, but for works.
Work for Reward
Les urges believers to labor and serve for reward, not for salvation, since salvation cannot be earned.
Fire Test
Les reads 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, showing the fire will test each man's work, and believers with no lasting work will be saved but without reward.
1 Corinthians 3:14-15: If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
This verse is the core passage distinguishing reward from salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This establishes that salvation is not by works but by grace through faith.
1 Corinthians 9:24: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Paul uses a race analogy to encourage believers to strive for a reward.
No. Les Feldick teaches that salvation is complete the moment you believe, and it is a one-time transaction. Works are for rewards, not for keeping salvation.
Les teaches that gold, silver, and precious stones represent works done with the right motivation, for God's glory, and are hard to produce. Wood, hay, and stubble are easy, ego-centered works that do not survive the fire of judgment.
Yes. According to 1 Corinthians 3:15, a believer whose works are burned will suffer loss of reward but will still be saved, as if escaping through fire.
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