It All Depends On God – 1 Cor. 3 AMPC

“So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor.” (7-8)

So often, our focus in life is on what we can or cannot accomplish when the reality is that it all depends on God. Whether you are a pioneer in your field and breaking ground, or whether you are building on someone else’s foundation, God is the one who deserves the credit. After all, He is the author and finisher of your faith; He is the one who guides you and empowers you to accomplish things for Him. So, whether you are the planter who never sees the fruit or the harvester who reaps what he did not sow, you can never take the credit. All the credit goes to God. He not only causes growth in others, but He empowers you to accomplish whatever you accomplish. Therefore, thinking that success or failure depends on you is unwise.

What an encouragement that is to me, looking back on a missionary career with more failure than success. I have attempted so many things for God, some of which He inspired and some I am sure were just what I thought was a “good idea.” I have seen many things flop and a few things take off and last. I have planted churches that thrived and churches that struggled. I have also seen things that I was sure would fail actually surprise me and take off in the end. At the end of the day, I realize that it all really had very little to do with me and much to do with Him. I am sure that some of the failures were due to me trusting my own strength or wisdom more than His. But it is clear that anything that lasted was because He was behind it all. We will be rewarded according to our labor, but we will take credit for nothing when we stand before Him. Thank you, Jesus, for that truth.