So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:7
Feeling important and needed is part of the focus for most people. It is what gives people purpose for this life. People will fight to show their value and how important they are, even to the point of stepping on others and pushing others down to lift themselves up. It is common for people to try and outdo others to make themselves look bigger and better than everyone else. It becomes all about self.
Paul talks about ministry and tells the Corinthian church that those who plant or water are nothing, but it is all about God who gives the increase.
Planting a garden takes time and effort to have one that is successful. It begins with breaking up the soil, then placing the seeds, then watering the garden while keeping the weeds down. If done right, in the end, one will receive a good harvest of fruits and vegetables.
Even with all of the work of tilling, planting, and watering, the person really did not make the plant grow. Without God causing the seed to sprout and grow, the garden would still be empty with a buried seed.
This concept works the same in the lives of believers. Just like the farmer planting and watering a seed, the believer has planted and watered the gospel message into the lives of others. Everything happened because of what they did. Many people do ministry and are His witness, and just like the world, feel that they are important.
As much as one does, it is not about that person, it is about God. Only God changes the heart of a person and draws one to Him, not those doing the witnessing. Rather than taking on the credit, one must give God all the credit.
There are many things that you do, both personally and for God’s kingdom. God is able to use what you do for His kingdom and His glory. While it is great that you do those things, it is not about you. You are not able to change the hearts of people, nor save them. Do not let pride rise in your heart. It is all about what God is doing in the hearts of others and how He is using you to build His kingdom. Keep doing His work for His glory.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will use you to plant and water the seed of His gospel message in the hearts of others; that God will draw people to Himself through you; and that you will recognize how God is working through you.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
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