1 Corinthians 3:7-8 – It All Starts with a Seed

seed of faith, small plant in dirt in the palm of hand with sun ray

“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” (1 Corinthians 3:7-8)

We often hear people say they “brought someone else to faith.” These verses would suggest otherwise. We should not take credit for something God is doing, should we? Our job, then, is to plant seeds of faith or water them. It’s God’s work that grows those seeds and brings people to faith.

Context (1 Corinthians 3): Paul is teaching his audience about spiritual growth in this chapter. It’s a process that starts with first hearing the Word of God and then being nurtured as we learn more. As believers, we each have a job to do, and it isn’t we who deserve the glory or attention but God. Paul equates his ministry with laying a foundation of faith. It is on that foundation that we each become the temple of God, also described by Paul in this chapter.

It all starts with some seeds. How we plant or water those seeds will look different depending on our situation. For me, I’m the planter. I can look back over my life and see how working with young children and youth has given me that honor. I’m starting to see some of my students come alive in their faith as adults, knowing that there have been plenty of people watering their seeds of faith along the way. God still has me planting at the orphanage where I do mission work.

Hopefully, God also uses me to nurture and help people by “watering” their seeds of faith. I can’t imagine we are only given one job. As our seasons of life change, we may find ourselves mentoring more than planting, and that’s okay.

Being used by God to help another one write their faith story is an honor, isn’t it? If you’ve not had the opportunity to see the results of what God has done in those people’s lives, just wait. If you’re just getting started in your planting and nurturing journey, hang on tight and pray for the process.

You never know when you will have a divine appointment. Some of the opportunities we have are unknown to us. People are watching, and our actions alone may be all that it takes to plant a seed of faith or encourage a seed already planted.

It can be a little intimidating at first to realize we’re representatives of the Most High God. Rather than see it as a negative, realize the honor and privilege it is. Cling to the assurance that God is always there to give us a hand if we ask.

We can’t forget the promise in these verses. Paul says we’ll be rewarded for our hard work. If sharing the gospel is “hard work,” then having a reward is very much appreciated. Some people are more reward-focused than others, so brilliant that God thought of that as a way of encouraging us for this “hard work.”

When we spend time building our relationship with God, our own seeds grow as God reveals himself to us. God does the work, remember? That’s certainly a reward in my estimation to have God moving on our behalf. I don’t think we ever grow up enough to where our seeds are fully developed. There is always room to grow closer to God. Let your seeds be nurtured today in your quiet time.

single cross against sunset with sun burst by crossLet’s pray. Lord, thank you for how you are drawing me to yourself. I cherish each moment I spend getting to know you through your Word. I am honored to be the one who can plant seeds of faith and nurture others. I realize I may never know some of those who I have touched in some way. But you know them, and that is all that matters. Thank you for all those people you have brought into my life to walk with me on my faith journey. I love how you provide for me and all those whom you love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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