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I. MAN'S WORK. It is:

1. Varied. Paul speaks of planting and watering; may extend to the multiform operations of agriculture. We cannot all do the same work. Let us seek to do that for which we are fitted. There is some spiritual work suited to each of us. In agriculture all find employment, from the boy with his clapper scaring away the birds, to the presiding mind which controls all operations. If Christians do nothing it is because they want to do nothing.

2. Important. As in husbandry, unless we sow and water we may not look for a harvest, so as a rule in things spiritual, Never think that what you can do is unimportant. You may think too little of your work as well as too much. You will think too little if you think that your work may safely be left undone.

3. Honourable. Christian work itself, - what can compare with it for an instant? Further, in it we are "God's fellow workers" (ver. 9). The Christian worker is one of God's nobility.

4. Limited. We can only do so much. We may sow and water, but not give the increase. It belongs to us to preach and teach, not to convince; to invite and warn, not to convert. We cannot produce spiritual results. We are not responsible for them.

5. Not independent. We cannot do our own work apart from God; it is "as the Lord gave to every man" (ver. 5). The seed that we plant is God's; the soil and water are God's; our powers employed are not "ours" but "God's."

6. To be rewarded. Upon just principles; according to the "labour" (ver. 8); according to faithfulness in the labour (Matthew 25:14-30). Not according to success. We cannot command this, though success usually follows faithful labour, and lack of success often means lack of diligence, or lack of something which should not have been lacking. Many Christians have an unhappy facility in accounting for failure.

II. GOD'S WORK.

1. Wonderful. Deeply mysterious. How marvellous the development of the seed after it is planted! Before this expansion and multiplication of life science stands dumb and confounded. So with the seed of the Word in the human heart. What inexplicable working and result! Well may we bow in adoring awe before this mystery of Divine might.

2. All important. The great need: without this, all nothing. If the increase comes not, of what service is it to plant and irrigate? If the Divine blessing rests not on our preaching and teaching, of what possible service can it be? Alas! how often we forget this! No harvest because God ignored.

3. Independent. God is not in any way dependent upon us or others for the increase; neither is he for the sowing and watering. The storm wind can be his seed sower, the rains and the dews are his servants.

III. REFLECTIONS.

1. God's work and man's are usually conjoined. God works generally by means. Let us, therefore, see that our part is done.

2. As our part is important, let us do it with the utmost possible efficiency.

3. Let us ever remember that we are working in God's field, and near to him, under his observation, etc.

4. Let us never attempt to do God's part or take any of the glory when it is done.

5. Let us ever bear in mind the relative importance of God's work and ours. Our work is nothing in comparison with his; we are nothing in comparison with him (ver. 7).

6. When we have done our part, let us look in faith to God to accomplish his.

7. Let us think little of man, much of God.

8. Let us never expect God's work from man.

9. As we work with and for the same God, let us cultivate unity. - H.

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KJV: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

WEB: I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.