Actually, the person who relies least on his personality or ability is the one whom God blesses. The apostle said: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not that out of ourselves.” (2 Cor. 4:7; compare 2 Corinthians 12:9.) Christians have to be alert at all times not to lapse into the natural tendency of the imperfect flesh, forgetting that they are ‘simply God’s servants,’ planting and watering the seed, but that it is God who makes it grow.​—1 Cor. 3:6, 7.

GROWTH AND PROSPERITY COME FROM GOD

4. Why is it essential that a Christian keep in mind ‘rolling his works upon Jehovah’?

⁴ This is a very serious matter. If a Christian does not do this, he may begin relying too much on himself, thinking, perhaps not even consciously, of his own importance or ability. If his plans appear to succeed, he may take the credit to himself, only to find out later that his “success” was only temporary or superficial. Such success does not bring glory to God and does not truly help others. For, “unless Jehovah himself builds the house, it is to no avail that its builders have worked hard on it. Unless Jehovah himself guards the city, it is to no avail that the guard has kept awake.”​—Ps. 127:1.

5. How did the apostle Paul point out the wrongness of glorifying ourselves or other men?

⁵ This principle was emphasized by the apostle Paul when he wrote to the Christian congregation at Corinth. Many in this congregation were following or glorifying ambitious men. (2 Cor. 11:4, 5, 13) Also, some may have given undue importance to Paul and Apollos. (1 Cor. 1:12) But Paul used himself, Apollos and Cephas as illustrations, so as to show how improper it is to glorify self or to look to oneself or to any man or men. (1 Cor. 4:6) He said: “After all, what is Apollos? What is Paul? We are simply God’s agents [or, servants] in bringing you to the faith. Each of us performed the task which the Lord allotted to him: I planted the seed, and Apollos watered it; but God made it grow. Thus it is not the gardeners with their planting and watering who count, but God, who makes it grow.”​—1 Cor. 3:5-7, New English Bible.