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1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 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. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
New International Version (NIV)
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Watching two geese head out on a vacation, a turtle asked if he might go with them. He bit down on a stick and they took the ends in their beaks. Then they began to fly. “Brilliant,” the turtle congratulated himself. Someone down below admired the engineering feat and asked aloud, “I wonder whose idea that was?” The turtle answered, “Miiiiiiiiiiine,” as he fell to the ground.
“It is amazing what can happen if you don’t care who gets the credit.” The more we congratulate ourselves and trumpet our own achievements over against others, the less useful we are to God. What is the antidote to divisiveness and competition? Humility. Pride is not seen as a virtue in scripture, but as a weakness which reveals insecurity.
Remember that the Corinthians were lining up behind different leaders, boasting in their favorites. Instead of seeing other ministers as competitors, Paul saw them as co-laborers. Certainly he knew that divisiveness and partisanship are part of the human condition. We often choose teams and compare leaders.
Of course, Paul could have joined the race and gone for the jugular against his supposed competitors. Instead he asks, “Who are we really?” “Servants,” he answers. Paul planted seeds. Apollos watered. But only God could make the plant grow. The field belongs to God.
If we don’t understand humility, we may never experience it. Humility is not putting ourselves down. Instead, humility is seeing ourselves from God’s perspective. There is great dignity in being God’s servants. If we believe that God is infinite, then life is not a zero sum. No one has to lose for us to win.
When we humble ourselves before God we become useful in his kingdom. But if we insist on exalting ourselves at the expense of others, we all lose. Paul says, “No more boasting about human leaders.” Because God alone gives all the grace, God alone gets all the glory.
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Pray with me:
Father, you alone know our hearts. Please reveal any tendency to defend and congratulate ourselves. Replace the insecurity of our pride with the true virtue of humility. How may we as your servants serve you and your people today? Help us to serve your servants today for your greater glory. Show us what you want us to do and give us the courage to do it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:25-26
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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