'Fertilizer sure helps!'

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.   — 1 Corinthians 3:6

A Sunday school teacher pointed to a large plant in the room and asked her young pupils, “Who made those beautiful flowers grow?” A boy quickly answered, “God did!” The teacher was pleased by the response, but before she had a chance to comment, another boy shouted, “But the fertilizer sure helps!”

That youngster touched on a profound reality — the mingling of the human with the divine in God’s plan for growth. For example, even though the Lord created this world with its growing things, He put man in the garden to tend and cultivate it.

We find a parallel to this truth in the spiritual realm. The apostle Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (I Cor. 3:6). His main intent in writing these words was to emphasize that God was the one responsible for “the increase.” Even so, the Lord had worked through the faithful endeavors of men. Notice what the record states: “Paul “planted,” and Apollos “watered.”

We recognize that God alone is the one who makes things grow — both in nature and in the church. But we also know that He chooses to work through people, and what we do “sure helps!” God is faithful in doing His part. Are we faithful in doing ours? — Richard De Haan

The Lord gives each of us a task

He wants us to fulfill;

To love and serve Him faithfully

Accomplishes His will. — Sper

READ: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Pray for a good harvest, but keep on hoeing.

The Bible in one year:

• Job 38-42