Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 

One Work, Many Servants, One God 

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 

Key verse: “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded  according to their own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8 

DEVOTION

Have you ever been found comparing yourself to others, and becoming envious of what they have  achieved? Jealousy is a master at curtailing love for others and hindering the purpose of our life.  
1 Corinthians 3:1-9 is an example of how throughout the ministry of the gospel message, jealousy can  create a strong division between believers. The key to overcoming this jealousy is understanding that it  takes more than one servant to build up the kingdom of our Lord.  
With this, one should understand that each servant has a different role: Paul explains, “The one who  plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose (v8). The one purpose we have as  believers is to bring more brothers and sisters to Christ!  
If God has called you to plant a seed in another person’s heart, obey him and plant the seed. Do not  compare your planting to someone else’s watering, because both are equally important and are a necessity  to achieving our one purpose in Christ. 

 

PRAYER

Thank you Lord God for giving us life and purpose on this Earth. Thank you for giving us a purpose  which we can work to achieve alongside your other children. We ask that you please reveal to us the  unique strengths and gifts you have given us which can help us share your message. We pray that you will  help us to overcome any challenges we may face in spreading your gospel truth. Please give us sincere  love for others, and please take away any jealousy we may ever feel in our hearts.  
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

As you go on with your day, think about the unique gifts and strengths God has given you. Then, ask  yourself how you can use these areas of strength to bring others to Christ. Whether that strength allows  you to plant seeds or water them, you can be confident that your work will be done for a collective greater  purpose given by God. 

Christina Isaac 
St. Stephen’s Mar Thoma Church, East Brunswick NJ