“So then neither is he that planteth anything,
neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
(1 Corinthians 3:7)
Scripture is rich with agricultural imagery, and none more telling than that of the church being called God’s “husbandry” (1 Cor. 3:9) and God Himself the “husbandman” (John 15:1). This image of cultivation speaks not only to God’s sovereign care over His church, but to His expectation that those He tends bear fruit according to the means and grace He provides. Scripture states that the branches cannot yield anything unless they abide in Christ, who is the vine, for Christ said plainly, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
As the Apostle Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 3, ministers may sow or water, but the results of growth, increase, and transformation are all from God alone. He does not share the glory of increase with the instruments He uses, for the tools are powerless apart from His sovereign work. Men are called to labor—preaching, teaching, shepherding; but the fruit of their work belongs to the Lord of the vineyard.
The church is likened to a vineyard in four ways: first, its life and growth are wholly dependent on God; second, its fruitfulness is due to union with Christ the true Vine; third, ministers are called laborers in this divine field; and fourth, enemies seek to ravage it as wild beasts trouble a vineyard (Ps. 80:13). Yet in all this, the increase belongs to God.
The increase of faith, the growth of love, the fruit of righteousness—these are not man’s doing. Ministers may labor faithfully, but the Word sown bears fruit only when the Spirit gives life. This is why the Word, though despised by the world, is declared to be “spirit and life” (John 6:63). And when the Word finds good ground, prepared by the Spirit, it germinates and springs up to everlasting life.
It is essential to understand that even the most gifted minister cannot cause a soul to believe, repent, or obey. These are acts wrought by divine power, not eloquence or learning. And God will often use the weakest means to demonstrate that the power is His, not man’s. As William Gouge said, “Whatever the means were, or whosoever the minister was … the praise and glory of all the work of salvation must be given to Christ.”
Believers should be thankful for faithful pastors and teachers, but must never fix their hope or praise on them,[1] for they are vessels, nothing more. The One who gives the increase is God alone. He is the great Husbandman, the divine Gardener of souls, who takes the lifeless and causes it to live, who waters and prunes until it bears fruit to His glory. If any grace is present in the soul, any holiness in life, any peace in conscience, let the praise rise to Him who planted the seed and gave the growth.
Contemplations:
- The seed of God’s Word. In terms of its outward appearance, seed appears to be of little significance. Likewise, the Word of God is greatly despised and condemned in the world (1 Cor. 1:21), though it is set forth by the great God as seed that is effectively sown in the hearts of men.
- Spirit and life. Good seed, cast upon good ground, germinates and brings forth life. And I know, Lord, that the Word of God received in a good heart quickens that man to divine life, because that seed is spirit and life (John 6:63).
- The proper environment for growth. If the Word of God is able to grow in me, it requires a certain environment – the warmth of the Sun of Righteousness and moisture from the dew of Your Holy Spirit. In this way, Lord, You give increase to the seed of Your heavenly word (1 Cor. 3:6-7).
- God gives the increase. Lord, in regard to growth in a believer prompted by the preaching of Your Word, planting (and the necessary watering) are attributed to the ministers of the Gospel (1 Cor. 3:6-8). At the same time, there is an essential subordination of these planters and waterers to Him that gives the increase, which is none other than You, Lord! For it is You, alone, that effectually works out the faith and salvation of men.
Prayer
Lord God, the great and wise Husbandman of Your church, I praise You for Your sovereign care and loving attention to the vineyard of Your people. You have planted, watered, tended, and pruned that we might bear fruit unto holiness. Not one plant lives or grows apart from Your working. I am nothing apart from Your grace. The Word that reached my heart, the faith that took root, the growth I have seen are all from Your hand.
Forgive me when I have thought too highly of men or too little of You. Remind me that no preacher, no teacher, and no counselor can transform the heart. It is You, O Lord, who gives life to the dead, sight to the blind, and growth to the planted seed. Use Your ministers, but let me see through them to You.
Help me receive Your Word with meekness, cherish it in my soul, and trust You for the increase. Help me grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Let Your Spirit dwell richly in me, so that I might yield the fruits of repentance, righteousness, and love. Prune me, Father, that I may bear more fruit. Preserve me in the vine of Your Son, and keep me from the withering of sin and self-reliance.
I ask all of this, knowing Your care is perfect and Your purpose sure. Give me grace to trust the Husbandman’s hand in every season—plowing, planting, watering, pruning—and to yield myself entirely to Your wise and gracious cultivation.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References:
Galatians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 4:15; Acts 21:19
[1] “Are we sufficiently thankful for ministers and pastors while we have them? Are not many of the faithful taken away because they have never been valued as they ought to have been? God’s servants are precious in his sight, and he would not have us despise them.” C. H. Spurgeon, “And Why Not?,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 22 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1876), 634.
