Multiple Contractors, one Architect
| I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. |
The Corinthians were arguing about whether Paul or Apollos was the greatest leader.
Paul is adamant: God brings the growth. He may use contractors like Paul and Apollos, but God is the Architect and Site Manager - only God brings growth.More than that, Paul goes on to say that there is only one foundation to build on and that is Christ. The building and renovation lesson we must learn here is that we get to decide on the quality of material we offer to God and His contractors.
We can give of our best or we can be half-hearted about what we bring to the table. Our building (our lives) and the renovations we have done will be tested by fire when we stand before Him. If we build and renovate with scraps, our building won't last, even though we ourselves will be saved because Christ is the sure foundation.
This leads to a few questions:
- Are we open to the contractors God is sending our way?
And are we sure that we aren't putting any of the contractors on a pedestal? - Is our foundation on Christ? Are we sure?
- What material are we giving God to work with? Are we giving our best time and whole-hearted effort or do we give God the left-overs of our time, talent and treasure? Our building and renovations can last and bring God glory, or, in the light of eternity, our buildings won't matter much.
The choice is ours.
