Tuesday 30 July, 2013

5 After all, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? We are only people who serve. We helped you to believe. The Lord has given each of us our own work to do. 6 I planted the seed. Apollos watered it. But God made it grow. 7 So the one who plants is not important. The one who waters is not important. It is God who makes things grow. He is the One who is important. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose. The Lord will give each of us a reward for our work. 9 We work together with God. You are like God’s field. You are like his building.

Paul is clearly concerned in this passage to not overstate his position, his influence, and his role in the Corinthian church. He is God’s servant; God is by far the chief worker; and Paul is a privileged servant and co-worker.

This is a good reality check for me, in life. I’m very quick to overstate my role, or my part to play, in lots of different situations. But Paul encourages and challenges me, both in his security and humility. He is secure in the knowledge of what his privileged role and purpose is. And he is humble, knowing by far God is the key player in his life and his call and his work.

God, please show me how to cultivate the same security that Paul expresses here; secure in my purpose, and thus not overstating my significance or my influence. Help me instead to be more concerned to make sure that all those around me know that you are He who has called me and works most mightily and powerfully through me.

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh