The increase

[The Glory Unveiled]

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. [ 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV ]

Growth is the expectation of every investment. Every input in our lives is intended to yield a certain result, no matter how small. Unfortunately, we tend to forget the goal of the inputs in our lives or focus on the resource and the middleman rather than the One who provided the resource and the middleman. The believers in Corinth faced the temptation of paying more attention to the middleman rather than the One who produced the end product. There is a temptation to think that the middleman is the reason for the results we have. Many mistake the actions of the Lord for the actions of man and divert God’s glory to humans. The church in Corinth was also ensnared in this deception when they divided between Paul and Apollos. So, the apostle Paul had to draw their attention to the fact that what they [the apostles] did was insignificant unless God provided the increase. Their focus and attention should return to God. Yet, it appears that today’s church is also falling into the temptation of attributing glory to the middleman. Those who most often succumb to this temptation are individuals who have no place in the secret place. People who frequently visit the secret place know the heart of God and His works. They are not carried away by the vessels God uses while God is on the stage. Our relationship with God will not grow from one level to another unless the Lord provides the increase. The Lord provides the increase only when we remain in the soil in which He has planted us, watered by the Spirit of His Word. And this is why our increase does not come from other people, even though it comes through them. Our growth comes from the Lord for His glory and the comfort of other people.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty God, thank you for the privilege to increase in you. I am a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The increase comes from the Lord.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.