1 Corinthians 3:5–6: Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
The task of the ministry is the sowing of the seed, the cultivating of the soil, the watering of the plants, and the harvesting of the fruit. How did this image of the church as a “field” apply to the special problems of the Corinthians? To begin with, the emphasis must be on God and not on the laborers. Paul and Apollos were only servants who did their assigned tasks. It was God who gave life to their efforts. Even the faith of the believers was a gift from God. It is wrong to center attention on the servants. Look instead to the Lord of the harvest, the source of all blessing. Note the emphasis in this paragraph on increase or growth. Why compare preachers or statistics? God is the source of the growth; no man can take the credit. Furthermore, no one man can do all the necessary work. Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but only God could make it grow. 1
Application
- How are you currently involved in planting the Word of God into the lives of others?
- Once seeds are planted, we must water them with prayer. Prayer after a Sunday service may be even more important than prayer before the service. That’s why we meet every Monday night for prayer.
Thought to Share
Every seed of the Word of God that’s own in faith must be watered with prayer. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Lord, make me a better farmer in Your fields.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.