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:
"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that GIVETH THE INCREASE. " Other translations accentuate the strength of this statement. "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything" (NASB). "So then the planter is nothing, and the waterer is nothing" (BBE). "The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important" (NLT). "In this, neither the planter nor the waterer counts for anything" (NJB).
Keep in mind, apart from the Lord Himself, a (if not "the") premier planter is writing. It is one thing to affirm the nothingness of one fulfilling some other ministry. It is quite another to assess ones own self in the manner done in this text.
Does Paul really mean those who plant and water the seed of the Kingdom count for nothing, and have no value? Did not Paul join with Isaiah in proclaiming the beauty of the feet of those who bring the glad tidings of the Gospel of peace (Rom 10:15)? How is it that he speaks in such a manner here, refusing to shine the light on anyone but the Lord?
He is speaking in the light of Divine glory, and with spiritual understanding. Paul is, as it were, standing in the light of the glory of God. He is seeing all things clearly as he assesses the real laborers in the Kingdom. As it is written, "In Your light we see light" (Psa 36:9, NKJV). While in this world, the glory of God diminishes the perceived glory of man. The One who gives the increase shines brighter than the ones He employs to sow and water the seed He increases.
Enlightened souls know that without God in the scenario, everything in the religious world is like the earth when it was "without form and void." If God does not "GIVE the increase," there will not be any! To put it another way, if "love with faith" does not come "from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," it will NOT come (Eph 6:23). If God goes not make men righteous, they will NOT be righteous (2 Cor 5:21). If God does not make men alive, raising them from death in trespasses and sins, they will remain dead toward Him (Eph 2:1-6). If he does not "open" the hearts of men so they can respond appropriately to the Gospel, they will not respond (Acts 16;14).
Unless Jesus is both Author AND Finisher of our faith, there is no hope of any form of increase (Heb 12:2). If God does not "finish the work," terminating it in righteousness, it will not be finished (Rom 9:28). If He who has "begun a good work" in you does not "perform it until the day of Christ," it simply will not be completed (Phil 1:6). If God does not work within us "both to will and to do of His good pleasure," we will neither will nor do (Phil 2:13).
That is simply the way it is. In the light of those realities, and many more, who will dare to shove the planters and waterers into the limelight? Who is the person or persons who will dare to treat planters and waterers as though they were finishers and completers?
The One who gives the increase is everything! He produced and gave the seed to be planted. He supplied the water to be lavished upon the seed. He Himself chose and sent both those who plant and those who water. He told them what to say and where to go. He gave them power to edify, and ministered strength and comfort to them, together with insight and joy. Who, then, is Paul? and who is Apollos? Let the Holy Spirit answer the question. They are "ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?" (1 Cor 3:5).
Herein is a truth not easily learned in a society that judges according to appearance. Elaborate systems of thought and religious institutions have been built by men that affirm planters and waterers ARE something. They train others to trust more in WHO gives the message than in the message itself. These institutions also claim to produce experts in increase. They can tell you how to double or triple "church attendance." They have guaranteed formulae for gaining converts and swelling the numbers of the institution.
But after all is said and done, it is still God who gives the increase. They simply have not presented the case truthfully.
Servants provide an environment in which increase can take place. They plant what God has determined will grow. They water what the Lord has determined will increase. But the Lord produces the increase Himself. Only He can bring fruit from seed. Man can plant and water it, but it will not grow without Divine intervention! Of course He cannot give the increase without Himself being involved in the process. He does not give increase by proxy.
For this reason, Paul prayed, "Now the Lord of peace HIMSELF give you peace always by all means" (2 Thess 3:16). Again he prayed, "Now HE that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness" (2 Cor 9:10). Again it is written, "The Spirit HIMSELF bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom 8:16). Truly, it is God who gives the increase.
The servants of the Lord are not marketeers or salesmen. They are planters and waterers! They appear to be workers as other men, but they are not. They are "workers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9)!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to see more clearly that You alone give the increase.