Note 3 at 1 Cor. 3:13: Paul is using a physical truth to illustrate a spiritual truth.

In building a house, there must not only be a good foundation, but good materials must be used to build on that foundation. In the spiritual realm, faith in Christ is our foundation. Once we are saved, we can either have works of the flesh (wood, hay, stubble) or we can have works of the Spirit (gold, silver, precious stones).

Christians will one day stand before the Lord for the purpose of receiving rewards (see note 6 at Mt. 10:42, p. 228), and all our actions will be revealed, whether they were our own doings or directed by the Spirit of God. If they were spiritual (gold, silver, precious stones) we will be rewarded. If they were carnal (wood, hay, stubble), we will suffer loss (see note 6 at v. 15, this page).

Note 4 at 1 Cor. 3:13: Notice that the fire will reveal what "sort" our works are, not what "size" they are.

Most people today are preoccupied with quantity of ministry instead of quality of ministry. Yet, Paul said the Lord is going to reward us based on how well we did, not how much we did.

In keeping with Paul's illustration, some people will stand before the Lord with huge houses which will be reduced to rubble after God rejects the building materials they used (works of the flesh). Others who never gained acclaim here on earth because they never did any big important works will be greatly rewarded because they faithfully fulfilled what the Lord called them to do (Lk. 12:48).