Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 3:6–9
God has commanded every believer to make disciples. Jesus gave us His command in Matthew 28:19–20 and in Acts 1:8. We must lead others to know and follow Jesus. God had Paul write in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” God used Paul to remind all Christians that we can only cast seeds of righteousness and water them, but God is the only one who can bring forth fruit from those seeds. We must know this so we never place too much reliance on anyone other than our Lord. God is the One who has given each believer a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts and each of us is to use those gifts to serve one another. That is what God communicated through Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” It’s not important who casts the seeds or who waters them; what’s important is that God makes the seeds grow. God had Paul clarify some things about Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:8–9, “Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” God reveals that those who cast the seeds and those who water will be rewarded for their obedience. We don’t serve to receive a reward; we serve because we love Him, knowing all that He’s done for us.
Challenge & Application
Why is no one more or less important when it comes to serving within the body of believers?
As you lead others to know and follow Jesus, how can you help them understand that their reliance must be on Christ and not on one of His servants?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!