GOD CAUSES INCREASE "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God GAVE THE INCREASE. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that GIVETH THE INCREASE. " (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) -- Tomorrow:
There is an increase "that is from God." It is the only increase, or growth, honored by God. All other religious increase is spurious, for whatever does not have its origin in the Lord cannot further His cause or be of lasting benefit to His people.
There are at least two churches mentioned in Scripture that appeared to be flourishing outwardly, yet were sternly rebuked by Jesus Himself. In both cases, a special word was sent to them from the Lord by means of an angel, and through the Apostle John. Both of these churches stand as a reminder to us that there is a condition to be avoided by God's people.
THE CHURCH IN SARDIS. Of this church, Jesus said, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead" (Rev 3:1). How does a church that is assessed as "dead" by the Prince of life, gain a name that it is alive? In some way the church in Sardis had distinguished itself among men. It appeared to have been more successful than others, and thus gained the name of a living church. They claimed affiliation with Christ, wore His name, and owned His cause. But this was in name only, not in substance. Their increase was NOT from God!
THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA. Concerning this church, Jesus said, "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" (Rev 3:17). There was such flourishment in this church that it imagined it had no need. Everything was at their finger tips, and they were rich and flourishing. This church would probably have fit well in both the prosperity and mega-church movements. But the assessment of Jesus was quite different from their own -- and His assessment was the one by which they would be judged. He said they were actually "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." They were not a blessing to Jesus, but a test of His patience: "wretched." They were to be pitied for their substandard condition: "miserable." Rather than having need of nothing, they were "poor," standing in sore need of virtually everything. Actually, they had no spiritual vision, and stood naked and unclothed before the Lord they professed. They did not have the increase that comes from God!
There are results that look good, yet are not kingdom "increase." Their presence, though quite impressive, deserves neither praise nor emulation. Paul spoke of such results when he wrote of impostors that " . . . are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting" (Rom 16:17-18, NASB). These were men who achieved results that were not honored in heaven. Yet, such individuals received acclaim from their peers. Peter said of such men, "Many shall follow their pernicious (destructive) ways" (2 Pet 2:2). Their increase was not from God!
A "minister" is a "servant," one who functions according to the agenda of another. The purpose which he serves did not originate with himself, but with his Master. He is not an expert in producing fruit, but in carrying out the mandate of his Lord. His purpose is not to build a large following, but to so labor that his Master can increase the seed he has sown or watered.
Notice that Paul classifies himself with Apollos. He does not do so because Apollos was his kingdom equal. Though "mighty" in the Scriptures, and able to persuade men (Acts 18:24,28), Apollos was not an Apostle. Jesus did not appear to him as He did unto Paul, and he was not personally sent to the Gentiles as was Paul. These things aside, when it came to the matter of kingdom increase, he was on the same level with the Apostle. Neither of them was called to bring increase! That was God's business! Paul planted, and Apollos watered, but it was God that gave the increase!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me insight to discern between spurious and valid increase.