May 2, the Increase

But God gives the increase.

I Corinthians 3:7

Paul once confronted the Christians in the church of Corinth concerning their incessant 

quarreling.  It seems that there were many issues that perpetuated such strife, but according to the third chapter of I Corinthians, a unique source of strife developed.  

Many within the Corinthian church seemed to attribute to men that which properly belonged to God, and this became the cause of their quarrels.  Bible scholar, Marion Soards comments, “The Corinthians seemed to assume that the ones who had ministered among them had some status, and that by being identified with this or that person they gained some status-giving identity.”[1]

To counter this fallacious approach of over emphasizing a human leader, Paul asked the question (I Corinthians 3:5), “What is Apollos? What is Paul?  The apostle used sharp rhetoric to confront the unnecessary acknowledgements and comparisons toward particular ministers, and any favoritism that surfaced through an imposed air of significance and importance.  The Apostle then touched the heart of a predominantly agrarian society and used an agricultural metaphor: “I planted, Apollos watered, and God made it grow” (I Corinthians 3:6).  Paul founded the church at Corinth.  Apollos taught and trained the believers there.  But God caused the work.  He caused the growth.  And, the significance of the Corinthian Christians was not that they knew Paul or Apollos, but that they were God’s field and God’s building (I Corinthians 3:9). 

To present the firm and irrefutable fact that the work of the church was attributed to God alone, Paul described the church as God’s field in reference to the present agricultural analogy of planting, watering and growing.  Paul then introduced an architectural analogy of the church being built up as a spiritual structure of God (God’s building), thus pointing forward toward to the analogy of Paul’s next section of teaching on spiritual growth (I Corinthians 3:10-17).  

The message to the Corinthian church was clear.  Any spiritual growth always demonstrates the importance of God’s activity over man’s office.  And, while the Bible strongly encourages giving honor to those who have encouraged us spiritually, the work is always God’s, for He alone brings the spiritual increase.  

From this message to the Corinthians church, consider the principle of efficacy.  Only through God’s work can the church be effective and fruitful.  Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12 remind us of the various gifts God uses to build up His church - gifts that are purposed by Christ our Lord and manifested through the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 4 reminds us of gifts of leadership within the church imparted under the lordship of Jesus Christ.  But God and God alone brings the increase – the growth and productivity.   There are many gifts, but One Spirit; there are many ministries, but One Lord; there are many effects, but One God (I Corinthians 12:4-6).  God, through the Headship of the Son over the church and the empowerment of the Spirit within the church, makes the Body of Christ effective.  Because of this, consider the principle of commonality in Paul’s message to the Corinthian Church.  God assigns, empowers, equips, and causes the growth of every individual minister and member of the household of God.  So, everyone who truly belongs to God is God’s workmanship, and of equal importance to His kingdom work in the world (Ephesians 2:10).  While positions and places of influence vary, the common significance is of God’s Work in each life for His intended purpose.  And, again, the emphasis is clear: God brings the increase. 

So, today, all that God spoke through Paul into this needless strife that had surfaced in the church exclaims one dynamic truth for all time: God alone brings the increase.  So remember, whether you plant or water, God brings the increase.  Please don’t become trapped in comparing yourself to others.  Please don’t compare others, one against the other.  Instead, express the appropriate honor to those who have been of unique blessing to you, but never forget that the particular person never brought the increase in your life or in the lives of others. It was only God.  And, to Him we give all the glory and honor.  

And, if you feel small because in your own mind you may not measure up to the importance of others who minister for God, remember that the same God who blesses their efforts will bless yours as well. So in the end, if your life represents God working through you to bless another (your child, a co-worker, or a neighbor), you are no less significant to the missionary who reaches a people group, or a pastor who touches hundreds or thousands.  God alone brings the increase.  Live and minister in this reality and be unleashed to bring a blessing to the next person with whom you come in contact.  This is your moment to make a difference, because under the Lordship of Christ and through the power of the Spirit, God will bring an increase.  

Blessings.  

READ

Read I Corinthians 3:1-23 and remember your significance in Christ.  

[1] Maron Soards, New International Biblical Commentary: I Corinthians (Hendrickson Publishers, 1999), 69.