1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
I love competing and I love winning. Growing up I considered everything a competition: academics, acting, getting dumb facts right. I loved competing so much that I even remember when I was younger I would walk/race out of church with a running commentary in my head of how “Brad came from behind to beat his family to the car.” I always won those haha.
However, competition demands comparison and it came very easy for me to take my competitive spirit and apply it to my brothers and sisters in the Lord in order to create a distinct have and have not of Christians. Perhaps you have a similar list. In other ways, I remember even getting jealous of others because they had other, and sometimes in my opinion better, gifts than I did. This is not the way the kingdom of God should work. While the rest of world throws each other over in order for recognition and praise we are called to honor those who are not as visible and to help those who are hurting. In the end, wherever we succeed in this life is a gift from God. We work through His power and Spirit to do His work. Let us aim to figure out how to encourage one another so that we can do this work together.
God I am so prideful. I often think solely of myself and what I can get. God help me first to recognize your blessing. God you are the reason I am and everything I have is because of you. Secondly, God help me to see others. God lead me encourage my fellow brothers and sisters. I need them in order to live this life you called me to. God together we are stronger. Lord make us one.