Did Paul take credit for the results of his ministry?
No. Paul did not take credit for the results of his ministry. He taught that while one plants and another waters, it is God who gives the increase. Paul explicitly said he could not take credit for someone’s salvation because he did not save them—God did.
Les explains that Paul refused to take credit for the results of his ministry. While one believer plants and another waters, it is God who gives the increase. Paul would not claim credit even for someone’s salvation because he did not save them—God did. Les says this is the role of every believer: we sow the seed, sometimes with only a few words or a little statement that makes someone think about eternity. Then God moves in and finishes the work of salvation. So the planter and the waterer are one, but the increase comes from God alone.
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.