Serving God Each Season 在每一个季节侍奉神

[Dexu Xia]

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Today's Scripture  1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Today's Insights    In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul offers a way of seeing ministry that avoids two dangers: overemphasizing and aligning with individual leaders or, on the opposite side, not recognizing the value of the service of others. Paul describes the community of believers in Jesus as a field (vv. 6-9) and a building under construction (vv. 9-14). In both metaphors, leaders are merely humble laborers called by God to specific tasks (vv. 5-8). Only He gets the credit; only God “[makes] it grow” (v. 6).

Although the focus in 1 Corinthians 3 is on specific leaders with designated authority roles in the community rather than on individual believers, the language of “each” being rewarded (v. 8) anticipates chapter 12, where Paul explains that God gifts “each one” in Christ’s body through the Spirit (v. 7). Believers are called to respond to what God is doing in and around them—using their gifts to honor Him and bless others.

Today's Devotional  After years of discipling Caleb by himself, Mark was dismayed to find out that a church leader had assigned another mentor to the young man. The leader remarked, “Finally, Caleb has a mentor.”

What did they think I was doing all these years? Mark wondered. Though he hadn’t expected any reward or recognition, he couldn’t help feeling hurt.

Years later, however, Caleb told Mark that he’d entered Caleb’s life just when he most needed spiritual guidance. On hearing these encouraging words, Mark came to this realization: God gives believers in Jesus specific gifts to serve Him differently—without comparing with others—and He oversees the timing.

In 1 Corinthians 12:4-31, Paul stresses the value of members of the body of Christ, the church, having different gifts, roles, and assignments. And in chapter 3, he reminds us of the one who's the ultimate source of the results: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (v. 6).

Each of us may be given a unique season and opportunity to do God’s work. Unlike people, God doesn’t compare our work, for He loves us as individuals. May we keep our eyes and hearts focused on doing our best in the season that God has given us relying completely on His strength and empowerment and not worry about what others achieve in their own way and time.

Reflect & Pray

What opportunities has God given you to use the gifts He’s provided for you? How can you best use these in this time and season?

Gift-giving God, please help me to focus on the work You’ve given me to do.

Leslie Koh

“我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神使它生长。”（哥林多前书 3:6 ）

今日经文：哥林多前书 3章5-9节

今日心得：在哥林多前书第三章中，保罗提供了一种看待事工的方式，这种方式可以避免两种危险：过分强调和认同个别领袖，或者恰恰相反，忽视服侍他人的价值。保罗将耶稣的信徒群体描述为一片田地（6-9节）和一座在建的建筑物（9-14节）。在这两个比喻中，领袖只是蒙神呼召去完成特定任务的谦卑的工人（5-8节）。惟有神才能获得功劳，因为惟有神才能“使它生长”（6节）。虽然哥林多前书第三章讲论的重点是信徒群体中拥有指定权柄的特定领袖，而不是个别信徒，但“各人”得赏赐（8节）的说法预示了第十二章，保罗在其中解释说，神借着圣灵在基督的身体里赐给“各人”恩赐（7节）。信徒被要求回应上帝在他们内心和周围所做的一切，用他们的天赋来尊敬他并祝福他人。

今日灵修：马克独自训练迦勒多年后，他沮丧地发现教会的一位领袖为这位年轻人指派了另一位导师。这位领袖说道：“迦勒终于有一位导师了。”马克心想，他们以为我这些年来在迦勒身上做的是什么呢？虽然他从未指望过因此而得任何奖赏或认可，但他还是忍不住感到受伤。

    然而，多年后，迦勒告诉马克，马克进入迦勒的生活时，正是迦勒最需要属灵指引的时候。听到这些鼓励的话，马克明白了：神赐给信耶稣的人特殊的恩赐，让他们以不同的方式侍奉祂，无需与他人比较，而且祂掌管着时机。

    在哥林多前书12:4-31中，保罗强调了基督身体，即拥有不同的恩赐、角色和责任的教会成员的价值。在第三章，他提醒我们，最终成就一切的是神：“我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。”（6节）我们每个人都可能被赋予独特的时间和机会去做神的工作。与人不同，神不会把我们的工作相互比较，因为他爱我们每一个人。愿我们在神赐予我们的时机里专注于尽力而为，完全倚靠祂赋予的力量和才干，而不是担心别人以他们的方式和时间取得什么成就。

反思与祷告 神给了你哪些机会来运用祂赐给你的恩赐？在这个时机里，你如何才能最好地运用这些恩赐？

 赐恩赐的神啊，请帮助我专注于你托付给我的工作。

作者：莱斯利·科