Credit

Once again, my blog topic for today came to me courtesy of the quote on the paper handle of my tea bag.  President Harry Truman said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” 

Truman’s words remind me of a rebuke that Paul (the Apostle) issued believers in Corinth. 

1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  1 Corinthians 3:1-7 (NIV)

Paul sought no credit.  It appears that the Corinthians (some at least) did.  More accurately, they desired to give credit to only certain individuals.  They were in a “My dad can beat up your dad” type of verbal sparring.  For some reason, they felt that whoever led to Christ and/or was their teacher was of crucial importance, of such importance that it overshadowed what really mattered. 

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  (Vs. 7)

Paul, in essence, says “Let’s give credit where credit is due, and nowhere else.” 

When you see what you planted and/or watered growing, remember who deserves the credit. 

• If you are a pastor and the church where you serve is growing, exalt the Grower. 
• If you are a parent and your child is following the Lord, thanks in great part to an example set by you, thank the Father.
• If you are a teacher and your students (group members, Bible Study class, etc.) are learning and bearing fruit, worship the Teacher.

At Rabbit Creek Church, our focus verse for 2018 is John 15:8 - This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

With the first six words of that verse, Jesus pointed to the right answer in regard to whom all credit belongs.  God deserves all the credit.  I do well when I remember that and therefore give Him all that He deserves.  Any time I fail to remember and/or give, I dishonor His work and name.  So I strive to continue the planting and watering while leaving the growing to Him. 

There really is only One with a green thumb!

#ordinarylives