John Maxwell states that, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” The synergy of cooperation is not simply principles of addition, but rather multiplication. This truth is illustrated by the fact that when oxen are yoked together their strength potential is not just doubled, but actually multiplied. Even the great athlete, Michael Jordan, realized that while he could score amazing stats alone, winning championships and making basketball history requires team cooperation. He proved his commitment by voluntarily reducing his salary for the purpose of making additional money available to bring better players to his team.
I Corinthians, chapter 12 demonstrates the truth that in the body of Christ, each gift of every member is for the profit of all. There are no great corporations, governments, sport franchises, churches, or families without many individuals who are willing to cooperate to achieve lasting successful results.
I Corinthians 12:14 (MSG)
“A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It is all different, but similar parts arranged and functioning together.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
Your eyes are not more important than your ears. Your hands are not more important than your feet. The parts of your body that are not seen are not less important than the parts you can see. Each part operating efficiently plays a distinct role in keeping your body healthy. That is a picture of teamwork and cooperation in process.
- Don’t be a one-man show. Change your focus from “me” to “we.” Someone said, “The word, team, doesn’t have an ‘I’ in it.”
- Observe the cooperation between the coach and his team at a sports event. The object of the game is not to show-off the talent of one player. It is to win by the team work of every team member. Success in life requires a joint effort.
“Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers with God”…I Corinthians 3:8, 9
