Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
As a boy growing up, one thing we always had was a garden. Mom and dad knew how to make things grow. Right now, it’s getting time of the season to start planting things. You can ask my wife: I am not a very effective gardner when it comes to vegetables.
In-fact she says that I spend more money on what I grow and she could be right. But it is something I like to do is to plant some seeds or get some tomatoes plants and try to grow a few thing. So if I am not that good at it why do I do it?
Mathew 13:4 and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Well I guess part of it is because I enjoy trying but also part may be because I want to try. We don’t have the best land for a garden: most of it is clay. In the spring, if there is a lot of rain, water will stand on it, and if it is the heat of summer the sun will dry the clay up.
When it’s dry, we have cracks we can place our hand in. The ground gets so hard, it is hard to get a shovel in to dig. But after all that I do get a few things to grow.
It reminds me of when we opened the church people would ask how many are going to come to your church and we would answer “Pam and I” because at that time we were stepping out in faith not knowing if there would be anyone coming or not.
But we would also respond,”If one person gets saved, all the time and work and investment would be worth it.”
So to go along with the ideal of planting a seed that is what we were doing when we opened the church. I suppose it’s the same way with the garden that I try to plant.
Matthew 13:8 but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
So we don’t have the best ground for growing as I said it is wet dry hard and not the ideal ground for a garden. But we do see results: we get a few tomatoes and different kind of squash and a few other vegetables.
That is if the deer or rabbits don’t get them!
This year I have not planted anything yet but it does not mean I’m not going to try. Even the few tomatoes and things makes it feel worth it.
It’s like I mentioned before at the church even if one soul get saved it is worth it. And let me say we have a wonderful congregation who has a very good heart.
Over the years I have talked with many people about the Lord and tried to get them to understand how wonderful it is to be able to be in his presence and feel his love. Those are seeds. I may never know the results, but God will.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
So for me being someone who loves to see things grow and enjoys planting so much the results out weigh the labor. As far as the garden goes what we get we use ourselves but as far as planting the seed of the Word of God it is entirely God who should get the increase.
What matters is the Kingdom of God gets the increase. As I sit here looking out our back window seeing a green yard that was not here when we first moved out here I know not every seed that got planted grew but that did not stop us from planting.
As much as it pains me to say it not everyone may be receptive to the Word of God but that still does not stop us from preaching or planting it. How bout you? What do you think is it more important: to plant for your use only or is it more important to see souls saved into the Kingdom of God?
Reread 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-9 and see what it says it just one paragraph up, especially verse 8 and 9 — that telsl us who we really are. You may wonder if I don’t want to see our little church filled. That would be awesome, but it is more important to see Gods Family built up.
I pray that you enjoyed this blog and may God bless you and keep you safe.