1 Corinthians 3:7. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase
Arrogance and pride should never come near us as ministers of the good news of Jesus Christ. And make no mistake, the ministry of the gospel isn’t limited to a select few. God has entrusted it to each believer. Have you recounted God’s marvelous works to unbelieving friends or encouraged a despondent co-worker with biblical truth? Or are you quietly serving behind the scenes at your church? In these ways and countless more, believers are ministers of the gospel of grace.
The apostle Paul warns us that if a man or woman is proud, they have truly forgotten who they are in the kingdom. The minister of God is to be the least in preference. Unfortunately, and un-scripturally, many elevate one or two above all others. Believer, beware—this is a mark of carnality.
God’s reminder to us is that we are to maintain the garden while He adds the fruit. Some of us will plant seeds while others will water, but only God gives life and increase. Think about this for a moment. The seed has been loaned to us, we borrowed the water from heaven’s supply, and its fruition has nothing to do with us. So then, where is our ground for glorying? Certainly not among any work that God has graciously involved us in!
There is no room for pride as we go about God’s business, but we can have tremendous confidence. Because “neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”
