Government has a role, but it was never meant to redeem hearts, forgive sin, or secure eternity.

SUMMARY:

Every election cycle promises salvation—but Scripture says otherwise.
Government has a role, but it was never meant to redeem hearts, forgive sin, or secure eternity. This teaching calls Christians to engage faithfully in civic life without confusing political power with spiritual hope.

REFLECTION & SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Where do you most feel tempted to place hope in political outcomes rather than Christ?
2. How does Psalm 146:3 challenge modern political thinking among Christians?
3. Why do you think God allows leaders that reveal the limits of human authority?
4. Which biblical leader mentioned (Pilate, Judas, Herod, religious elites) feels most relevant today—and why?
5. How can misplaced trust in government create anxiety, anger, or division?
6. What is the difference between engaging politically and idolizing politics?
7. How should Christians balance Romans 13 with ultimate allegiance to Christ?
8. Where have you personally confused support with salvation?
9. What does faithful civic engagement look like at the local level?
10. How does Christ's authority in Matthew 28:18 reshape how you view elections and leaders?

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

Every day, you're building something — habits, choices, reactions, priorities.
You may not see it, but a structure is rising.

And Paul says one day, God will test what you built.

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 Corinthians 3:12–15

This is one of the most sobering texts in 1 Corinthians.

Paul's not talking about salvation — that foundation is in place. He's talking about what you build on that foundation.

And he says plainly: some things survive God's fire, and some things burn.

Gold. Silver. Precious stones. Enduring items like these represent costly obedience, sacrificial love, perseverance, faithfulness, and holiness.

Wood. Hay. Straw. These represent shortcuts, ego, comfort, laziness, worldliness, and half-hearted faith.

And here's the truth most believers never think about: You can spend years building something that won't survive one second of the Refiner's Fire.

Not because God is cruel — but because his fire reveals the truth.

It reveals what was built for Him…
and what was built for you.

It exposes our motives, not to shame us, but to strengthen us.

And Paul's point is simple: Build what lasts — because everything else will burn.

Your energy, your time, your thoughts, your habits — they're either forming something eternal or something disposable.

So today, ask yourself: Am I building with gold, or am I settling for straw?

The good news?
You can modify the materials today.
You can start building with materials that last.

DO THIS:

Identify one "straw" habit today — something easy but empty. Replace it with a "gold" habit — something costly but eternal.

ASK THIS:

1. What am I building that won't matter in eternity?
2. What part of my life needs stronger, costlier materials?
3. What would building with "gold" look like this week?

PRAY THIS:

Father, teach me to build a life that lasts. Burn away what's worthless and strengthen what's eternal in me. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Refiner"

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 3:10-11.

Everyone's building something— a career, a reputation, a family, a future, a legacy.

But Paul reminds us that the foundation matters just as much as the construction. Actually—more.

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. — 1 Corinthians 3:10–11

Paul is clear: There is only one true foundation—Jesus Christ.

Everything else looks strong for a while, until life leans on it.

Success, relationships, security, money, comfort, reputation— none of them can hold the weight of a real life.

Only Jesus can.

But Paul makes a second point we often miss: You don't choose the foundation, but you do choose how you build.

Your habits, decisions, reactions, desires, disciplines— all of them are construction materials.

They determine whether your life is:

• Sturdy or unstable.
• Aligned or crooked.
• Lasting or temporary.

Paul says, "Let each one take care how he builds…" Because not all building is equal.

• You can build fast—but sloppy.
• You can build big—but weak.
• You can build impressively—but not wisely.

The foundation is perfect—Christ Himself. But the structure you build on top of Him is being shaped every day.

And here's the accurate truth: If your foundation is firm—and you build on it correctly—your life will stand firm.

Not because you're strong but because Christ is solid and your building aligns with Him.

Storms don't destroy what's built on Jesus with care.
Pressure doesn't crack what's anchored in Him.
Time doesn't weaken what's formed by His wisdom.

So today isn't just about believing in the right foundation.
It's about building on it with intention.

DO THIS:

Write this somewhere you'll see it today: "I'm building on Christ." Then identify one habit that needs to be rebuilt with Him at the center.

ASK THIS:

1. What part of your life is being built quickly instead of carefully?
2. Which habits reflect Christ—and which don't?
3. What will building "correctly" look like today?

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, You are the foundation of my life. Teach me to build with wisdom, humility, and strength that aligns with You. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Firm Foundation (He Won't)"