Look At What I've Done...

Scripture:
1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (NASB)

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Devotional:

How often do we strike out to do “God’s will and work?”  How many times do we think look at what I did or accomplished?  Maybe the thoughts are I must do it all.  As Paul noted in 1^st Corinthians it wasn’t himself or Apollos caused spiritual growth in people.  They were not the ones who made someone a believer.  Look at the farmer.  He can plant the seeds.  His helpers can water them and weed the fields.  However not one of them can make the plant spring up from the seed.  Only God can.

We must be careful not to take the credit for someone receiving salvation.  It is important to also realize we are not supposed to do it all.  That is why we are the body of Christ, or the church.  The human body is made up of many different parts each part doing something different.  1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV):

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

By each of us doing our own jobs according to our gifts and God’s prompting we can do the most good.  We then are able to get much more of God’s work.  He will be glorified in our work.  Not all of us are good with numbers.  Not everyone can paint or put up a wall.  Not everyone can work on plumbing, electrical, or roofing.  But put everyone together we can build and move mountains.

Do not worry about what others are doing.  Concentrate on your task.  Do not boast of your accomplishments, for they are not yours but God’s.  Instead give credit where it is due, focusing on Him.  Glorify and honor God in all you do.  Then not only will you shine and be blessed but those lives you touch will be as well.