Building Project

Anyone who has ever planted a vegetable garden knows what a wondrous thing a seed is.  There is just something about opening the envelope (or in some cases, small box) with the picture of a Blue Lake green bean or Silver Queen sweet corn on it and pouring its contents into the palm of your hand that evokes feelings of anticipation and the quiet pleasure which is the private joy of gardeners.  The process of turning and preparing the soil to receive the seed, the careful planting, nurturing and feeding are rewards enough in themselves.  But few pleasures exceed the pulling of a beautifully formed carrot with its bushy green top or reaching under the sheltering leaves of a tomato plant to harvest its lustrous fruit.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul uses gardening as a metaphor for giving to God¹s work  and makes this point:  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2Cor 9:6)

By definition, the purpose of seed is to be sown. Gardeners would think it daft to purchase seed and then stash it in a shoe box or pass it on years later to children.

Once received, gardeners look forward to getting their seed planted in the ground so it can begin to grow.  Paul says that giving to God’s work is like planting seed and that givers should have a gardener’s hopeful attitude.

“Generously” describes not only an amount but also an attitude and is the chief attribute of a cheerful giver, one who gives in anticipation of what God will do with his gift.  Paul assures us that when we give to God’s work we sow seed into His kingdom where we can expect a great return.

Gardeners would also think it foolish to eat your seed.  Yet this is what many do through wasteful, unplanned spending.  It is God who provides “seed to the sower” and when we waste, we waste God’s money.  This is to steal from the eternal future to satisfy our present wants.  In doing this we subvert the seed’s innate power to multiply and feed both the sower and others.

We reap what we sow, so be generous and look forward to what God will do!