In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul presents the church as a building. Collectively, the saints of God form the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). Paul had laid the foundation, and since that time, man has built upon it, not only gold, silver, and precious stones, but also wood, hay, and stubble. Ultimately, every man’s work will be tried with fire; rewards will be given for that which abides, but loss will be suffered for that which is burned (1 Cor. 3:11-15). In the scene before us in the book of Nehemiah, we likewise see men building: some with purpose, others to impress; some exerted themselves, others failed to do so. We see all walks of life: priests and Levites, Gibeonites and rulers, goldsmiths and apothecaries, each, however, serving according to the gift he has received. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10).