1 Corinthians 3:7. “So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
INCREASE. The “planter” is the laborer who knows the type of soil he is preparing for the harvest. By experience, he knows the needs of the ground before the seed is put in. The thorns and thistles have to be dealt with before the seed goes in. The weeds have to be pulled and killed before the seeds go in. Then the ground has to be turned over so any remaining problems are turned under the ground. The soil itself then needs to be prepared with stones and rocks removed. The soil can be smoothed so hard ground can be broken up and ready to receive good seed. When with his experienced eye, he sees the ground is ready, he takes the precious seed in his hand and places it where it will find all it needs to grow into healthy plants producing fruit.
Much of Gospel work is done before bringing the sinner to where he can receive the word in the good ground of his heart. Clear explanations of the need of the soul need to be given. To present the PROBLEM is our first work. After we discern the degree of understanding about one’s need, we can move on to the SOLUTION. That is where the truths of salvation, the work of Christ, the response of faith is given. To FOCUS undivided attention on the PROBLEM and SOLUTION will give a sense of URGENCY to the message. The planting season is about over so keep working until this phase of the work is done. To urge the sinner to ACTION is as far as the planter can go in his tasks. He realizes… “BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE.”
The “waterer” watches the following seasons. His eye is turned to the color of the sky and the dampness of the ground. When it is observed there is need for the water to be personally carried and applied, he is there. Again, and again he will go to the Water Source and dip of the life-giving water himself and transport it through his own heart and mind to the growing plants under his care that are drying up. His task is tedious. He doesn’t know which bucket of water turned the danger of dying into the assurance of life. He doesn’t know which day the water was most effective. All he has to know is that he did what he was supposed to do. When the green growth was seen and the fruit began to form, he knew he had done the work of the “waterer…” “BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE.”
God gives the increase because He is the Life-Source in the seed. God gives the increase because He placed in the dark ground, all that is needed to make fruit. God gives the increase because He knows the right amount of heat, light and water to make plants grow. God gives the increase because He arranged the process by which it all works together to produce fruit.
The “planter” and the “waterer” know they can only give what God gives them to do; “BUT GOD GAVE THE
INCREASE.” The wonderful thing is that God lets both participate with Him in the process. Whether it be in preaching the Gospel, or the teaching and nurturing of the believers; all rejoice together and are rewarded by the fruit – “BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE!”
“My hands are full Father, with the work Thou hast given me to do. I think I like the planting best, but there seems to be more planters in some places that there are waterers. At the moment though, in this place, the need I can best fill is that of a waterer. So tonight, as I speak, after going to the well again and again today, may the water I bring and pour out be what Thou can use the best for the need of the plants – that they might be fruitful. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”