Who Gets the Credit?

Day 219: 1 Corinthians 3:5-23

“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.” - 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 ESV

When we work for the God of all creation, and as a result, good things happen, it can become easy to claim those outcomes for ourselves. I mean, we put the time in and made the sacrifices. 

Perhaps our names should be in lights?

Paul was very clear that he and Apollos were not the growth causers, though they were involved in the process. God may use many of us to do things we never imagined possible, but we cannot initiate growth.

This is when we realize that fervent, constant prayer and faithful time spent in the Bible are essential for those of us who claim to follow Jesus. God's powerful presence alone can cause authentic growth among us.

Richard Pratt drives this home for us as he writes, "Their human leadership accomplished nothing apart from the Spirit’s power. Further, they only planted and watered because God told them to do so. The blessings of salvation on the church at Corinth came through the power and will of God."

Us take credit? No way.

It is just like Jesus said: "So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" - Luke 17:10 ESV