It’s easy to get discouraged in ministry—or even in everyday Christian living—when we don’t see results. Or the results we want. We pray for someone, witness to a friend, serve in our church, raise our kids in the faith… and sometimes it feels like nothing is happening.
This is why I’m encouraged by this passage…
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
—1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)
Paul reminds us in this verse that growth is God’s job. Paul planted the seed. Apollos came along and watered it. But the increase—the growth, the fruit, the transformation—that came from God alone.
Our calling is simple: Be faithful.
Plant the right seeds. Water with care. Speak truth. Show love. Live the gospel. And then… trust God.
Years ago, when I first came to Olney Baptist Church, I challenged the church to numerical growth. That was a mistake. Instead, I should have focused initially on spiritual growth. It’s not that numerical growth is bad, but the church is called scripturally to make disciples, not crowds.
And, as far as making disciples…even there…we can’t get focused on numbers. We must focus on planting and watering the right seeds. Why? Because…
We are not judged by statistics or outcomes. We’re judged by our faithfulness. That’s what matters most to the Lord.
Our church just finished Vacation Bible School. Our numbers were great. We had more kids this year than in several years, but the most important measurement of spiritual success is the impact that was made in the lives of the kids and their families. And we may not know this for a while – if at all this side of eternity.
But God knows.
So don’t measure your ministry—or your spiritual impact—by how many people respond, how big the crowd is, or how visible the fruit may be. Instead, ask yourself: Am I planting the right seed? Am I being faithful with what God has given me?
Because when we are faithful in planting and watering… we can leave the rest in God’s hands.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
—1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
Thank you for Reading!
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Bless you Pastor Tubbs for your fulfilling ministry.
Thank you Sir and God bless you and your ministry.
Vuyisile