In our Christian service, we are called to be one Body of Christ and work together as one body to glorify the Lord.  Our work for God in this world involves many different individuals of all denominations, races, and social standings in life.  These all have a variety of gifts and abilities as God has endowed each member severally, as he wills.  We are all merely laborers together with God as his husbandry, we are God's building according to his Word.

There are no superstars in the task given the Body of Christ as all are only team members of God's team, who must set aside the desire to receive any glory for what may be accomplished.  Our invaluable approval comes only from God. 

The foundation of the Church of every believer is to be the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is the foundation Paul laid when he began the Church at Corinth.  It matters not which part of the Body of Christ builds on this foundation, but each one must build with high quality materials that match God's standards as taught in the Bible and right living as Jesus taught.  Those who build have a great responsibility.  Each member is to be mature, spiritually sensitive and doctrinally sound. 

A building is only as solid as the foundation it is built upon and everything we do is to be built upon the pattern given by the Lord Jesus Christ.  We cannot build on wealth, success or security, as these will all fail in times of trial or testing but the sure foundation of Christ as the Solid Rock, will always stand. 

The Apostle Paul's work was to plant the seed of God's Word in the hearts of the people.  He was a missionary pioneer who brought the message of salvation to the people.  The role of Appolos was to water or to help the believers grow stronger in the faith which Paul had already helped them discover.  After Paul founded the Church in Corinth, Apollos built on the foundation already planted.  The believers there had split into factions and pledged loyalty to different teachers instead of to the Lord who was the Chief Cornerstone and Foundation of the Church.

Paul instructed them to see by the Holy Spirit, that teachers and ministers were called to point them to the Lord, and they were to look to God and not men.   It is only God who can make the "gardens of hearts" grow and increase from the seed which has been planted or watered by others.  The fruit which is brought  forth is for his glory. We are workers in his vineyard called to plant and water, and trust Him to bring spiritual growth and maturity.  Both Paul and Apollos were in the same doctrine, labor, spirit and service of the Lord and both were consecrated to the same purpose in life.  We see rewards which will be received are not based on the success of labor, but according to motives and faithfulness in service to the Lord. 

When we study God's plan for his Body on earth, we see the building plans belong to God but exercising the plans he gives has been entrusted to those called into service.  It makes no difference if we plant or water, all must be done for the Lord and his glory.  His Word is as precious seed which must be sown.  We will each be blessed as we share with others.  God will receive glory and honor as souls grow in grace, building upon Christ the Solid Rock, as the only true foundation.