‹ Exit 2 22 Young Adult

Today's Scripture

We Plant and Water, but Only God Makes It Grow

Slow your breathing and prepare your heart for the Word.

God, shine your Word on my heart and life today.

Words to Know

Review unfamiliar words before reading the passage.

God Has Been Making It GrowThis truth declares that while the role of a leader or worker is limited to the faithful process of planting and nurturing the Word, the ultimate sovereignty to transform a soul and bring forth inner fruit belongs to God alone.
Co-workers in God’s ServiceThis refers to the spiritual identity of those called to participate in fulfilling God's holy will according to the roles and gifts He has assigned, rather than working by their own power as the primary agents.

Read the Word Slowly

Tap each verse after you have read it.

5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1Corinthians 3:5–9 (NIV)

Hold the Word in Your Heart

My Meditation Journal

What are the roles of the one who plants and the one who waters, and why must we confess that only God makes things grow? (Refer to vv. 6–7)

Are you currently trusting that God is the one who brings growth in your workplace, church, or family? Or are you trying to control the outcome through your own efforts, leading to impatience?

Meditating on the truth that "we are co-workers in God’s service," identify one small area today (a project, a relationship, or a task) where you will plant and water with excellence. Then, offer a prayer of faith, intentionally surrendering the final outcome to God.

5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1Corinthians 3:5–9 (NIV)

Young professionals in their 30s, often at the height of their careers, can easily place their righteousness in their own efforts and achievements. We believe that because we planned it (planted) and managed it with such care (watered), we deserve the results. However, in the midst of this busyness, when we forget the fundamental truth that "only God makes things grow," we become plagued by anxiety over results and quickly burn out in the heat of spiritual or worldly competition.

Paul firmly declares that "neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" (v. 7). Paul and Apollos were merely servants carrying out the portions assigned by the Lord, and we are all simply co-workers in God's service. While the one who plants and the one who waters will receive their own reward for their faithfulness (v. 8), the fruit of life depends entirely on God's sovereignty, not our own striving.

Today, lay down your obsession with performance and the heavy burden of feeling like "it all depends on me." Do your absolute best in the role assigned to you, but leave the results and the fruit entirely to God. When you restore your spiritual humility as God's co-worker, you will find true peace and joy, free from comparison and competition. Remember that you are God’s field and His building—seek the spiritual maturity that allows space for Him to work.

🌳🍎

You grew another step in the Word today.

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