The REAL MiracleGro is God

7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. 9 For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.

There is division in the church in Corinth.  Some leaders are beholden to Paul.  Others are beholden to Apollos.    One has planted.  One has watered.  Who is the wiser of two?  The one that plants or that one that waters?

If you have ever been part of a church split, you might relate to this question.  If you have lost a beloved pastor because of personality conflicts, you might relate to this question.  If you have a favorite teacher or mentor, you might relate to this question.  It is a chicken/egg sort or predicament.

And what Paul tells us in the text above is that we are so human to be asking this question.  We are so human to think that we are the reason things grow.  We are so human when we raise one up on a pedestal above another.

So do not deceive yourselves, people, humans.  We are merely servants, laborers, conduits of the source of growth.  It is because we belong to Christ that we are able to serve in this way.  The REAL MiracleGro is God.

I like MiracleGro, actually.  It keeps me from having to re-pot my plants as often.    God actually needs us and MiracleGro to tend to God's creation.  We just need to remember we are servants to the glory of God and in our work as servants we need to be careful about putting human leaders on a pedestal.  For the impending fall will threaten  many good things that have been built up.

To God be the glory.