I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." (John 4:38)
Some ministries grow rapidly while with others the growth is slow. Those whose ministries grow fast may think that it is because of their abilities or as some say, a greater anointing that is bringing them results. Anointing, methods and abilities are all important, but we must understand that many others have already labored for the souls that we have finally won for Christ.
It's like several people taking turns to cut down a big tree. The man whose final stroke of the axe brings the tree down cannot say that he was the only one who did the job, because there were several before him who also put in their efforts.
Sometimes it may take years for a person to accept Jesus as Savior. God may have dropped the seed of the gospel through several people of His into that person's life. Finally when the person comes to accept Christ, though the person who spoke last may feel that he/she has won a soul, God sees the many who have labored for it and the reward of the effort will be shared finally by all who have put in their effort.
Not only that, we may work hard to bring a person to Christ and finally he/she may join another church. It's not that we have lost something,but the words of Jesus that we read above coming true.
Sometimes we may do the hard work, but others may reap the benefits or sometimes others may do the hard work and we will reap the benefits.
Some ministries grow rapidly while with others the growth is slow. Those whose ministries grow fast may think that it is because of their abilities or as some say, a greater anointing that is bringing them results. Anointing, methods and abilities are all important, but we must understand that many others have already labored for the souls that we have finally won for Christ.
It's like several people taking turns to cut down a big tree. The man whose final stroke of the axe brings the tree down cannot say that he was the only one who did the job, because there were several before him who also put in their efforts.
Sometimes it may take years for a person to accept Jesus as Savior. God may have dropped the seed of the gospel through several people of His into that person's life. Finally when the person comes to accept Christ, though the person who spoke last may feel that he/she has won a soul, God sees the many who have labored for it and the reward of the effort will be shared finally by all who have put in their effort.
Not only that, we may work hard to bring a person to Christ and finally he/she may join another church. It's not that we have lost something,but the words of Jesus that we read above coming true.
Sometimes we may do the hard work, but others may reap the benefits or sometimes others may do the hard work and we will reap the benefits.