Every instruction in God"s Word carries a consequence. When obeyed, the rewards are there and when disobeyed, the rewards do show up with time. What happens many times is that the benefits are sometimes limited to our understanding. Without our understanding, our cooperation is limited and possibly inconsistent. Many times we tend to be event-oriented rather than process-oriented. God"s dealings are usually process-oriented though they manifest as events. One of such instructions is the instruction to give. This runs through the Bible and its basis is found in the principle of the seed and harvest. The entire kingdom of God operates on the seed –principle. Jesus made that clear in Mark 4, when He was discussing the parable of the sower. In verse 13, He asked if they got the parable, because failure to get it implies they may not get the others. God Himself, in carrying out His redemption plan planted the seed of His Son. The fundamental seed is the Word of God. He uses it for everything He does in His kingdom. If God is seed-minded, we should be too.
Giving is one of the keys of the kingdom of God. The account of Matthew showing the teachings of Christ shows how He discusses giving, along with praying and fasting in Chapter 6. He was teaching these subjects and revealing the right attitudes and heart-posture we should have to do these things to get the results God wants us to get. So many realise the importance of praying and fasting especially in dire circumstances but fail to see the role of giving in such circumstances. In Luke 6:38, we read "Give and shall be given unto you, good measure pressed down and shaken together, running over shall men give to your bosom". This giving includes forgiving, not judging, not speaking evil of others etc. Whatever you give will be given back to you. Seedtime and harvest shall not cease says God Himself in Gen. 8:22. As I grew in my understanding of God"s ways, purposes and plans, I realised that the goal of our Christian faith is not just to be blessed, important as that is, I realised it includes being conformed to the image of the Son as recorded in Romans 8:29. We please the Father when we allow His Son"s image to be formed in us.
Wisdom Key: The entire Kingdom of God operates on the Seed Principle
Scripture References: Luke 6:38, "Give and shall be given unto you, good measure pressed down and shaken together, running over shall men give to your bosom"
Personal Application: What does it mean to be "seed minded"? If we know that the Kingdom of God operates on the seed principle, what can we do to ensure that we sow the "right" seeds into our lives and the lives of others around us?
