Growing To Give

Have you ever planted a garden? It is so interesting to watch those little seeds turn in to baby sprouts and then mature into vegetable-bearing plants. It takes months for the process and a lot of hard work, but it is amazing that one little seed can produce so many vegetables.

Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a seed. Listen to Him in Matthew 13, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32, ESV)

Do you see the process of change for the little seed? When it is grown it becomes a tree that provides rest and security for the birds. There is no doubt that we are needy people. However, there are times when we allow this neediness to spiral out of control. We use our poor condition for selfish purposes. We use it for attention or for pity. We use it to gain a benefit that we really do not deserve.

Jesus desires for the Kingdom of Heaven to become manifested in His followers. He desires for us to do everything we can to join with Him in redeeming this world as we wait for Him to take us to the New Creation. This means we need to move from the place of need to the place of generosity. To be generous means that we are to be givers.

Yes, it is true that we will always have needs and those needs should be cared for, but do your perceived needs dominate every corner of your life? Are you always looking for the spotlight to shine on you? Do you wait for the right moment to hijack the conversation so it will revolve around you? Are your true desires that everyone would serve you at home, work, etc.?

Jesus says that maturity means we give. We give rest and comfort. We become a source of comfort and strength. Where are you in the growth process? Are you waiting for someone to pour more fertilizer on you, the little seed? Or, are you providing rest and help to those God has placed in your corner of the garden?