God Gives The Increase

Good Morning!! Christians have different gifts, that produce different fruit, for God's work. While we can accept this in Scripture,...we still question why some Christians are more successful in ministry than others. We wonder why one church is so much larger than another. We tend to look at the "successful person", and try to pattern ourselves to be like that person,...instead of keeping our focus on the Lord.

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.—1 Corinthians 3:7-8 (NIV)

Paul makes a piercing statement that should penetrate each of us, right into the depths of our heart. Our focus in life, as in ministry, needs to be about God,...period. Without God, there is no increase, no success,...and no value to our work. Without God, there would be no gifts, skills, or fruits. Without God, there would be no us. Because of God, one person is given certain talents while someone else is given the complement to those gifts,...both designed by God to fulfill His purpose only (1 Corinthians 12:11). In these verses, Paul is planting while Apollos is watering, both chosen by God to perform His service.

If you are feeling frustrated, fatigued, and frazzled, comparing yourself to others,
...then you are missing what God has for you.

God, You are our Farmer. You have given us the talents and skills, to plant and water,...but all for Your purposes, and glory. We now know; without You, there will be no growth, and no success for anyone. Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."