For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
“Paul spoke of the loss of reward as a great and terrible loss. The fact that we’re still saved is a clarification, not a consolation…Receiving reward from Christ is unspeakable gain with eternal implications. Forfeiting reward is a terrible loss with equally eternal implications. How dare we say that being in heaven is all that matters to us, when so much else matters to God?
What we do in this life is of eternal importance. You and I will never have another chance to move the hand of God through prayer to heal the hurting soul, share Christ with one who can be saved from hell, care for the sick, give a cup of water to the thirsty, comfort the dying, invest money to help the helpless, rescue the unborn, further God’s kingdom, open our homes, and share our clothes and food with the poor and needy.”
Randy Alcorn in Money, Possessions, and Eternity (Tyndale House: Wheaton, 2003) 119-120.