Read: Matthew 13:3-9 |
Part three of this series focuses on planting or sowing seeds as an analogy for giving our time, talent and treasure (see table below). Up to this point, we have identified where to give, followed by when to give and today we will talk about preparing the area to be sown.
God works ahead of us to prepare the soil at the location that He has appointed us to give. In nature, a farmer or gardener works the land a season or more before they plant seed the seed. The area is furrowed, fertilized and freed from obstacles. Spiritually it is much the same.
Beforehand, God furrows to dig up the areas that need to be exposed, fertilizes it with grace and frees it from obstacles that would prevent the seed from growing. God prepares the soil in advance of our heavenly appointment.
Our job is very simple. As co-workers with Christ, we work in partnership with God. Our job is to bring the seed of time, talent or treasure and plant where God has anointed and appointed. Whoever has ears, let them hear!
For example while pumping gas around the corner from Church; I recall an instance when a young mother asked for gas money. Before she asked for anything, I anticipated her asking based on our eye contact. As she was walking around her car towards me, I took a quick look into her car and saw her three kids. As I looked in their eyes, I reached out to God and prayed about what to do. He gave me peace of mind to give her what she asked for. By the time she reached me, I had decided to follow the advice I was provided. To my surprise, she only asked for $5.00. I gave it with a smile, thinking it would have been more. On the other hand, there have been times I have heard the need, prayed the prayer and kept going past the tug in my heart to give. I am not proud of those moments. Nor am I saying to give to everyone that asks, I am saying pray and seek His guidance and He will let you know what to do. Be prepared to plant the seed in the soil, which God has prepared.
As God leads you throughout the day, remember that Jesus noted in Matthew 9:36-38 “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Today, you are the workers. You have the seed that a dying world needs. Deposit the gift of your time, talent and treasure where God directs, when He directs. At that point, you can trust that He has the soil prepared to receive your gift and will multiply it a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
