Nov 03

So, does the fact that it is God who accomplishes all that comes to bear fruit in his kingdom, and not us, mean that we are just to sit back and do nothing? Hardly. In the parable of the workers in vineyard, Jesus describes the vineyard owner who confronted the idle people of the marketplace and asked them, "Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?" (Mt. 20:6).

God expects his people to work in his kingdom. What he does not expect or desire is for them to think that their labor is the real cause of the fruitfulness of his vineyard where he has called them to work. They are merely the attendants or caretakers; he is the source of life and fruit. Paul recognized this vital truth, for he says in 1 Corinthians 3:7, "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

The world works hard to make projects grow, to make more money to spend on self. But that sort of "life" is more like the growth of mindless crystals rather than the life seen if actual living beings. It is growth that is sterile and cannot rightly be called life. For growth that merits to be called life, growth must be for a purpose.

The purpose of growth in the kingdom of God is to give God the glory for creating all life and giving meaning to that life and its growth. This is the purpose to all that God does and to all that he allows us to do in participation in this grand purpose.

Scripture for today: Col. 1: 6-10
Thought for today: Growth is not an end in itself. Cancer cells grow in uncontrolled fashion. Healthy cells grow under the control of the body's purpose for life.
Prayer for today: Lord, grant me healthy growth in you.

NOV 03