Co-workers, not Competitors
(1 Cor. 3)
One of the valuable lessons we are to learn from the first three chapters of First Corinthians is simply this: Those who are active in the local church are co-workers, not competitors. Paul, Apollos and others who taught God’s Word in Corinth were “servants through whom they believed, as the Lord assigned to each one.” These men were servants under assignment from the Lord; co-workers, not competitors. {Read 1 Cor. 3}
When you look out over a working farm, there are many people engaged in a variety of functions; some planting, some watering, etc. But they are all dependent on God, who put the power in the seed, the soil and the water. Thus, at harvest time, no worker is to be singled out for celebration. “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord,” (1 Cor. 2:31).
The next time you drive by a construction project, notice people engaged in different kinds of work. They are co-workers, not competitors. And when the project is complete and the building is functional, it is God’s building (1 Cor. 3:9).
These opening chapters in First Corinthians supply for us today, good, healthy perspective about men who are to work faithfully, build with the right materials and give the glory to God. Preachers, teachers and others who function in the local church are co-workers, not competitors. “…let each one take care how he builds…”
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