Wasted Construction

Did you hear about the “wrong address” house construction fiasco in Hawaii? Annaleine Reynolds, a Big Island property owner, purchased an empty lot several years ago. Later, a local developer who owned an adjacent property hired a contractor to build a family home. But before breaking ground, neither the contractor nor the developer surveyed the property — and they built the house on the wrong lot. Reynolds learned the home was on her land when a real estate broker called her after he discovered the mistake during a title check. The whole thing ended up in court, and the construction company has now been ordered to tear their brand new house down at their expense.

All that work for a total loss!

But I’m afraid a lot of us are right now spending big money and expending major energy building on the wrong lot. And these things will also be total losses.

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul talks about this in a construction analogy. He says that in the Day of Judgement, all of our effort and work in this life will be revealed by fire. What we’ve done for temporary benefit will be burned up. But what we are doing for God’s Kingdom will be a blessing to us forever.

I don’t know exactly how it’s going to work. But I know this: the time and effort I put into building a house on the wrong lot will be a giant waste. And that’s what we are doing when we pour our attention into this life. You and I only have so much time and so many resources. Do we really want to spend them trying to make sure we get the best vacations, the nicest houses, the coolest cars, or the most respect at work?

Something I’ve been convicted of lately is this…Who get’s my first and best? Who gets my early morning attention and the best of my energy? Is it myself? A secular company? Friends I’ll barely know in another 10 years?

Or does God get my first and best? If my first and best goes to Him, none of it will be wasted. All of it will be translated in some way into eternal benefit.

C.T. Studd wrote a famous poem over a hundred years ago with these words: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

So, we better check the address. This construction project we are all on, the building of our lives…let’s check the address. Let’s make sure all this effort truly does pay off. I’m not interested in building a retirement that will last only 20 years or so. I want it to last for eternity.

Who gets your first and best?