Which Is Greater?

One gives generously, one labors strenuously, one prays faithfully— which one does the greater work?

The one who labors strenuously, implores the Lord of heaven to provide the means to carry out the work he’s been called to. The Lord answers that call through the one who gives generously, making it possible for the one who labors to labor. The one who prays faithfully, asks the Lord to cover them both with protection and to continue to inspire them both unto obedience. Which one does the greater work? 

Without prayer, neither the laborer nor giver would be moved to respond to the Spirit (Luke 10:2). Without the laborer, there would be no fruit harvested. Without the giver, the laborer would have no means to provide for His own family or the Lord’s. The praying one prays for the felt needs and spiritual needs of others to be met. The laborer carries out the practical outworking of that prayer. The giver makes the practical outworking possible. Which one does the greater work?

My body has hands that work, eyes that discern, and a heart that feels. How can I work without accurate discernment? How can I discern void of emotion?  What good is emotion without hands to carry out what my heart compels or my eyes discern? Which one of these does the greater work? All three are called to a great work. All three are equally needed… 

… because there are no side characters in God’s kingdom. 

(1 Cor 12:18-21) But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”

(John 21:20-22) Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them… When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

(1 Cor 3:5-7) What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept it growing. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.