Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
Devotion
In this passage we have Paul addressing the Corinthians, and he is not going easy on them here. He begins by calling them out in verses 1-4 for living a worldly lifestyle— specifically he referred to them as infants, and said that not only were they not ready for solid food, but they also weren’t ready for milk! I could not imagine addressing a crowd of adults in this way, but I am not surprised that Paul did.
He continued in verses 5-9 to differentiate between our roles as followers of Christ, and what God’s role was. As followers of Christ we are here to plant the seeds in those around us, and to exemplify Christ’s love to those same people. We are challenged throughout scripture to create a community that are the hands and feet of the church. This community should foster a positive environment in which we can support all believers. Paul then quickly notes that God is the sole person who is responsible for the growth of those seeds though. He acknowledges that the body of the church has a very important purpose in supporting the ministry— but that growth is solely because of God.
Furthermore, Paul notes that taking credit from the work that God is doing is foolish. God alone is responsible for what comes to fruition in someone’s heart, and he should be the only one praised when individuals give their life to Christ. I challenge you this week to seek out opportunities to continue to be the hands and feet of the Church. Seek out those opportunities to plant seeds, and water those around you. And continue to give Glory to all God has and is doing.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all that you are doing in our lives. Please help us to continue to be bold in our personal lives to further your kingdom. Help us to continue to exemplify your love, compassion, patience, and kindness to EVERYONE we come in contact with. Please give us the ability to plant those seeds, as well as water those around us. And when we see progress, have us to continue to give you the glory. In your heavenly name I pray, Amen.
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