Sometimes as God’s children, we can confuse the simplest of things. I have been blessed to sit at the feet of capable men as they spoke on church growth and building congregations. While their expertise is appreciated, I wonder if many Christians do not make this topic more difficult than it should be. Though I certainly do not want to “over simplify” it, I do believe that God was clear on this subject. The apostle Paul penned, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 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” (1 Corinthians 3:6-8 KJV).
Firstly, Scripture gives the recipe; “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Our duty and awesome task as Christians is to busy ourselves with planting and watering. It is not our responsibility to worry or bother ourselves with results; that is God’s job! Thus, everything in which we engage ourselves as a congregation must be for the ultimate purpose of planting and watering. Planting and watering take on many shapes. For example, personal invitations, passing along bulletins, tracts or other religious literature, benevolence, passing along our website address, etc. are all means by which we can plant and water. Do not fall into the trap that Satan sets, by asking, “Well, do these do any good?” The answer is “Yes!” These and other ways of planting and watering allow us to please God by doing what we are commanded to do (Matthew 28:18-20). We often measure “the good” by increase, but remember increase is not our job! Let us busy ourselves with planting and watering, and I know for sure God is capable and able to give the increase!
Secondly, Scripture also gives the realization; “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…” We cannot plant and water enough to “earn” our way into heaven! When we plant and water, we are simply showing our submission and obedience to God’s will. Those who plant and water are servants (cf. Luke 17:10). Planting and watering should be a delight, not drudgery, for we are serving the great God of heaven and earth, Who gave His Son in our stead! I plant and water, not because I “have” to, but because I “get” to!
Lastly, Scripture gives the reason; “…and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” There is crown at the end of our labor! Faithfulness results in the crown of life (Revelation 2:10), and faithfulness is seen in planting and watering (cf. Matthew 25:14ff). I believe, in part, planting and watering is a “test” as to how much we really trust God. Do we believe His promises? Do we really believe that God will bless faithful planting and watering? Do we really believe that God is able? Paul closed his first letter to those in Corinth by affirming, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Do we really believe those words?
While I certainly do not have all the answers to church growth, I do believe what God said. If we continually and faithfully plant and water at every opportunity we have, then the stage is set for God to give the increase. However, if we fail to do our part, how can we ever expect God to do His part? God is faithful! Let us plant and water diligently and watch as God richly gives the increase. God will not and cannot lie!
