“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.”
1 Corinthians 3:7-9 NLT
In this chapter Paul is dealing with favouritism. Paul had pioneered the work in Corinth and Apollos had presumably pastored the work. Some were saying, “we belong to Apollos”, others, “we belong to Paul”. Paul is emphasising that the important one is God, He produces the growth. Paul goes on to say that both the one who plants and the one who waters must do the job not according to man but to God. Each will be rewarded on the last day when their works will be tested by fire. What is down in the flesh will be destroyed, but what is down in the Spirit will stand.
The Lord has been working in me to know this accountability. The people He brings into my life I must care for them as He would, not to gain fleshly rewards. He gives me a heart for the lost and broken and I gather them and draw them into relationship. I then pray for them and brood over them to see them grow as the Lord would have them flourish.
I am convicted that caring for God’s people has nothing to do with manipulation or control. People need to find God themselves, I can draw them in and share Him with them, speaking truth and challenging sin but, It is their relationship with Jesus that is most important.
I am also not the sole source of their provision, He is. Each must develop a relationship of faith with their Lord and saviour. I play my part, but that is all. I can’t intrude on the Lord’s territory.
May I finish the race well! Amen!
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