1 Corinthians 3:5–9
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. – 1 Corinthians 3:6
Click to read passage
Many of us grew yellow beans or green beans for a school assignment when we were children. We were happy to see the little shoots appear. Growing other plants, however, may take longer. We plant the seeds in soil and water them every day, eagerly waiting for them to sprout. After several days with no sign of growth, we begin to wonder whether the seeds are still alive and will ever grow. We know plants need time, but we still feel impatient as we wait.
We can feel the same way when we care for others. Parents patiently help their children with schoolwork, yet the children keep making the same mistakes. Sunday School teachers prepare their lessons faithfully, but their students still show little interest. We pray for family members for years, yet they remain unwilling to believe in Jesus. We grow discouraged and wonder whether our efforts have made any difference. We often judge the value of what we do by the results we can see. We feel that, after working so hard, we should see some change.
In today’s passage, Paul writes to the believers in Corinth: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (v. 6). The believers were comparing church leaders. Some supported Paul, while others supported Apollos. Paul reminded them that both were servants whom the Lord used, each doing the work entrusted to him. Paul preached the gospel, and Apollos taught the believers. Yet it is God who brings people to faith and helps them grow.
Paul’s words help us let go of our need to control the results. We need to do our part faithfully, while remembering that we cannot control how or when people change and grow in faith. When we see change, we thank God and appreciate the efforts of others. When results are slow, we can keep praying and faithfully caring for those we serve.
Jesus also faced rejection during His ministry. Even His disciples deserted Him when He was arrested. Yet He remained faithful to the work His Father had given Him. He went to the cross and gave His life for our sins. God raised Him from the dead and saved us through Him, bringing us back into a right relationship with Himself. As we remember how the Lord loved us and remained faithful to the end for us, we can ask Him for strength to keep serving when we feel discouraged. Even when we see no change, we can still trust God and leave the results in His hands.
Perhaps your family members still reject Jesus, or your students still show little interest in what you teach. We can entrust them to God once again and continue praying for them. Someone caring for plants cannot make new shoots appear, but can faithfully keep watering them. We too can follow Jesus’ example and remain faithful to the end in the work God has entrusted to us.
Reflection:
Where have you grown discouraged because you have waited so long without seeing results? What is God asking you to keep doing faithfully today?
Prayer:
Loving God, you know our weakness. We easily lose patience and grow discouraged when we have waited a long time without seeing any change. Forgive us for our impatience. Thank you for Jesus, who gave His life for us and remained obedient to the end despite rejection. When we are tired, give us strength and wisdom to know how to teach, care for and support the people you have entrusted to us. Help us to do our part faithfully and leave the results in your hands with peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Click to read passage
Many of us grew yellow beans or green beans for a school assignment when we were children. We were happy to see the little shoots appear. Growing other plants, however, may take longer. We plant the seeds in soil and water them every day, eagerly waiting for them to sprout. After several days with no sign of growth, we begin to wonder whether the seeds are still alive and will ever grow. We know plants need time, but we still feel impatient as we wait.
We can feel the same way when we care for others. Parents patiently help their children with schoolwork, yet the children keep making the same mistakes. Sunday School teachers prepare their lessons faithfully, but their students still show little interest. We pray for family members for years, yet they remain unwilling to believe in Jesus. We grow discouraged and wonder whether our efforts have made any difference. We often judge the value of what we do by the results we can see. We feel that, after working so hard, we should see some change.
In today’s passage, Paul writes to the believers in Corinth: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (v. 6). The believers were comparing church leaders. Some supported Paul, while others supported Apollos. Paul reminded them that both were servants whom the Lord used, each doing the work entrusted to him. Paul preached the gospel, and Apollos taught the believers. Yet it is God who brings people to faith and helps them grow.
Paul’s words help us let go of our need to control the results. We need to do our part faithfully, while remembering that we cannot control how or when people change and grow in faith. When we see change, we thank God and appreciate the efforts of others. When results are slow, we can keep praying and faithfully caring for those we serve.
Jesus also faced rejection during His ministry. Even His disciples deserted Him when He was arrested. Yet He remained faithful to the work His Father had given Him. He went to the cross and gave His life for our sins. God raised Him from the dead and saved us through Him, bringing us back into a right relationship with Himself. As we remember how the Lord loved us and remained faithful to the end for us, we can ask Him for strength to keep serving when we feel discouraged. Even when we see no change, we can still trust God and leave the results in His hands.
Perhaps your family members still reject Jesus, or your students still show little interest in what you teach. We can entrust them to God once again and continue praying for them. Someone caring for plants cannot make new shoots appear, but can faithfully keep watering them. We too can follow Jesus’ example and remain faithful to the end in the work God has entrusted to us.
Reflection:
Where have you grown discouraged because you have waited so long without seeing results? What is God asking you to keep doing faithfully today?
Prayer:
Loving God, you know our weakness. We easily lose patience and grow discouraged when we have waited a long time without seeing any change. Forgive us for our impatience. Thank you for Jesus, who gave His life for us and remained obedient to the end despite rejection. When we are tired, give us strength and wisdom to know how to teach, care for and support the people you have entrusted to us. Help us to do our part faithfully and leave the results in your hands with peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.