“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:7–9
God Alone Brings the Growth
The apostle Paul speaks with clarity: growth belongs to God. Human effort has a place, but it is never the source of spiritual life. Men may preach, teach, counsel, and serve, yet no heart is changed unless God acts. This truth guards the church from pride and despair. We do not boast when fruit appears, and we do not lose hope when progress seems slow. God is faithful to give the increase in His time and in His way.
This truth also speaks to the present hour. In days of shaking and confusion, many trust methods, personalities, or movements. Scripture calls us back to a simple foundation: God alone gives life. Programs cannot replace prayer. Strategy cannot replace the Spirit. The increase is the Lord’s work.
One Work, Many Servants
Paul teaches that “he that planteth and he that watereth are one.” Though roles differ, the work is unified. God does not measure importance by visibility. The planter and the waterer stand equal before Him because both serve the same purpose. Division arises when servants forget this unity and compare themselves to one another.
In the body of Christ, faithfulness matters more than recognition. Some sow seeds that will not sprout for years. Others water what they did not plant. God sees both, and He joins their labor into one eternal work.
Reward According to Faithful Labor
While growth belongs to God, reward is connected to obedience. “Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” This is not a reward for results, but for faithfulness. God does not ask His servants to produce increase; He asks them to be faithful where they are sent.
This points us to the coming judgment seat of Christ. Each laborer will give account, not for another’s calling, but for his own. This truth encourages perseverance. No faithful act is wasted. What is done in obedience will be honored by the Lord.
God’s Field and God’s Building
Paul closes with a powerful image: “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Believers are not their own. The church is God’s field, cultivated by His hand. It is God’s building, designed and sustained by His wisdom.
In an age obsessed with self-expression, Scripture reminds us that we belong to God. He is shaping His people for harvest and for glory. As the end draws near, God is preparing His building to stand firm and His field to bear fruit for eternity.
Conclusion
This passage anchors the church in humility, unity, and hope. We labor faithfully, knowing that God gives the increase. We work together, not in competition, but in calling. And we rest in this assurance: the Lord who began the work will complete it. Our task is obedience. His promise is fruit.