How's Your Garden Growing? Part 2

Why isn't my garden growing? This may be a question someone would ask if they had a garden spot and had planted some seeds. One of the first things we would ask in return is, did you plant any seed? How much did you plant and where did you plant it may be a few others?

What would you say to someone who said they were getting nothing out of their garden and you had asked them if they had planted any seed and they had said NO? You would no doubt laugh and say how could you expect fruit from a garden when you had planted no seed in the garden!!!

This weeks text helps us here.....

2 Corinthians 9:10...Now may HE who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

As we learned yesterday, God provides the seed.......and if we know that (HE said it in HIS word) then why in the world would we NOT sow the seed HE has given??? When we think of it like that, it does seem silly to not use HIS resources, HIS way! Let me share with you another passage that speaks powerfully on this.... Turn to Luke 12:16-21. Read it through and let's consider a few things about Bounty (aka seed aka money).

Whether you realize it or not we are blessed bountifully here in the USA! I believe this passage applies to EVERY born again believer in the US! We must consider a few things from this passage...

1) Bounty is an Opportunity, not a burden! (16-17)The rich man was blessed and struggled with what to do. What shall I do? It was a concern for him, a burden if you will. He wasn't sure what he should do with his new found bounty. He however did not go outside of himself for his wisdom. He decided what he needed to do. He decided to keep it for himself. Thus creating a greater burden for himself. More stuff to keep up with. More to tend and watch over! Wonder how his life would have changed if he would have asked God and followed in simple obedience......give it away!

2)Bigger is not always best.....especially when we don't consult God! (18) He naturally decided to buy bigger. He must have been an American! We rarely think about being content. We get more, we want more, we build more, we buy more!!! I will store all my crops and my goods he says......All for himself! Get the big picture! I wonder how many families could have been saved if we had just kept our lives simple??? How many kids could have grown up with the love they desperately wanted if mom's and dad's had chosen to keep their lives simple? Ever heard....I want my kids to have more???? How about more love and more time!!! Maybe we could if we didn't have so much stuff!!!

3) Bounty can lead us to paths of laziness, apathy and loss of Biblical vision! (19) Life is not about us eating and drinking and merriment. While God does allow us to enjoy the life HE has given us, I am certain HE has no desire for us to stagnate in our selfishness.....! How many brothers and sisters in Jesus have fallen prey to stagnation as they laid back in their proverbial recliners of life! How many precious souls have gone into eternity as we rest in our bounty???!!!

4) Bounty, when squandered selfishly, will be left behind.....and.....WILL BE LEFT BEHIND! (20-21) How many have left their "Stuff" behind as they left this world and headed into the next??? It is certain we can carry nothing out! So we must be careful with what we do with what HE has provided!
All the resources that HE had provided squandered on stuff that will not last nor will go into eternity!

5) Let's Be Rich Toward God! (21) So why not cooperate with God in HIS Great Work and use those GOD provided resources for HIS glory! It is a choice you know???!!! Each individual has a choice. As a matter of fact I just got off the phone with another of God's financially free servants and they just obeyed the Lord and HE has provided again! They made a choice to obey and HE is again providing!

So.....How is your seed planting going? How's your garden growing??? It's your choice!

Blessings
Bruce