A missionary once told me, “If it’s not enough for the need, then it’s seed.” When he said that I knew he was right. However, contained in that simple statement was a BIG step of faith.
Seed Backstory
The backstory on this simple statement is that I had developed a program for Microsoft Windows. I had one authorized reseller and after several months they had only made one sale. By that time I had moved on. So, I had one sale which wasn’t a lot of money. Still, I was sure it had been the right thing to do.
After talking with this missionary I decided that I would give all the money I received from that one sale to God. It would be a seed since it surely wasn’t enough for my needs.
Now let me stop at this point. I am not writing about incorrect teachings like “name it and claim it” or “give to get”; the list goes on. What I’m writing about is “need”.
God’s Way
We find in Matthew 6:25, 32-34 (ESV emphases added), Jesus saying: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? …For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
I have found these words of Jesus to be especially encouraging. My heavenly Father KNOWS that I need them all. However, notice the “but”. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” Jesus is telling us that before we can expect God to meet our needs we must change our intent.
Intent and Purpose
A complete shift must take place in us. The intent and purpose of our lives must change from that of a consumer mindset to that of a righteousness mindset. This truth sticks a pin in the promises of material gain.
Now here’s my news. I took all that I made from my product and planted it in the kingdom of God. No one hinted that I should give it all but I felt the Holy Spirit stirring within me. That income was my seed.
I wasn’t asking for a 30, 60, 100 fold increase. That wasn’t in my heart at all. What was in my heart was placing God first in my life and trusting Him for my needs. (I needed a job.) My seed was a declaration that I was walking by faith.
An Epiphany
Shortly after this epiphany from the Holy Spirit, I didn’t just get a job. I began a whole new career that met my needs for many decades. It was so much more than I would have ever thought or asked for.
There have been many times that I’ve found myself with seeds. I’ve learned to plant those seeds. Rarely have these seeds been financial. They may be “family time” or “an effective ministry.”
How do you plant a “family time” seed? My wife and I invited our kids’ friends to a weekly dinner. We prayed, discussed topics of the day, and asked about the activities and needs of the young people at our table. We took the seed of our family time and planted it in others. God met our needs.
God Has Never Failed Me
Each time God asks us to plant what we have, even if it’s almost nothing – some small fish and a bit of bread – God honors our faith in Him. As for me, God has always met my needs. He has never failed me.
Photo by Mert Guller on Unsplash
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https://rockexcavationservice.org/2019/04/10/faith-is-a-noun/
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