1 Corinthians 3:9 which states, “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Paul uses a building and a field (NKJV) to illustrate the work the church is to be doing. Each system of a building is to be doing its work. The electrical system must do its work. The plumbing system must do its work. The framing must do its work also. Each system has a work to do and must do their work.
In the field it is the same. Each part of the field must do its work and all the systems must work together. The fertilizer must do its work. The microorganism must do their part and the bees must do their work for the field to do its part. Again each part must do their work.
That is what Paul is trying to emphases in the above passage. Yes, there is plenty of work for all of us to do and to keep us each busy for a long while. There is no need in one system stepping on the other or even get jealous of another system. There is too much work and too little time to do the work of the church.
Paul also uses the body to illustrate how the body is to work together. This picture is painted in 1 Corinthians 12. After stating that there is only one body (12:12), Paul uses different body parts to point out that each member is important. Each member has a work to do. The foot is important. The ear is important. The eye is important. Even the nose is important. Then he makes this application, “And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Corinthians 12:23-25). Paul still being inspired by the Holy Spirit to write what God wants, states, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts or healings, helps governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:28-31). His point is that we all do not do the same thing. If, in the body, all the members of the body did the same work think of how deficient our bodies would be. If all the body were an eye, how would we get around? The feet are important to the eyes! What about the nourishment of that eyes, how would that take place? Yet, if the feet did not have the eye working with it, how could the feet see where to go. Understand then that each part of the body is important. Each has a work to do in the body and the body does not work effectively without each part doing their work. The same is true with the church; that is God’s point. We each are important. Let us not think that any one is unimportant. From the youngest member to the oldest member all are important. All have a part to work to do in the body. Each part then must be doing their work. We are to be doing the work to the best of our ability. Let us be about our Father’s business.
Think what it would be like if someone did not do their work around here. What if one came in and the Lord’s Supper was not prepared. What if the lights were not turned on? What if the air conditioner was not on? These may seem like small things but they do make our time together more pleasant. Thank you to all who do these things. They do not go unnoticed. Let us all work together!
Love, Keith
