“Then he [Jesus] told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,* sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”* Matthew 13:3-9 NIV

The Parable of the Sower is well known and very popular because of it’s clear message about the different types of seed and their clear application for believers.  This parable is also unique in the sense that Jesus explains it to his Disciples so we have no doubt about the interpretation.  It is an amazing passage in many ways.

Recently, I was reading this as part of my daily plan to read the Bible and I had an insight that I want to share with you.  We all know we are to be like the seed that fell on good soil where our lives can be a bountiful crop offered to the LORD.  But, I think we should also be like the Sower. 

We never hear about the Sower, other than as a beginning to the stories of the various seed.  I believe the Sower is not only where the story begins but where they story finds a new beginning. 

After we become seed in good soil and produce a crop we have the opportunity to be sowers and plant new seed.  As a Sower we are responsible for spreading the seeds of the gospel—sharing the Word of God and the message of hope found in Jesus.  Our methods of sowing may be very different, ranging from a person who shares a personal testimony of what God has done in their lives to someone who gives faithfully of their time, knowledge, experience, or wealth so others hear about Jesus through their words and see Jesus in their lives. 

One more thing about the Sower, he spread seed but didn’t what kind of soil the seed would eventually end up in.  Once he scatters the seed his job as a Sower is over.  He may have the opportunity to water or weed around the seed but, ultimately, the rest is up to God—He is LORD of the Harvest.  In other words, it’s not my job to decide who I should share the Good News with or who is worthy of this gift from God.  I am to spread seed wherever God puts me and to whomever God chooses. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus’ command is clear—we are to go and make disciples.  That begins with sharing Jesus with those around us whether in our words, actions, or the testimony of our life.  We obey Jesus by sowing seeds in the soil around us.

Here are some other posts you might be interested in:

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2010/12/grow-where-you-are-planted.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/11/administering-grace-ephesians-31-13.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/03/on-being-in-ministry.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/08/witnesses.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2012/01/opportunities-to-honor-god.html

Opportunity is defined as a favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances.  Everyday, we are presented with opportunities to honor God.  In fact, I believe God arranges circumstances in our lives and provides us with favorable circumstances or opportunities to Honor Him every day. 

Do you believe that?  Do you recognize opportunities to honor God everyday?  What do you think, does the Bible support my belief?

“Well, when I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord gave me tremendous opportunities.”   2 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

“Now when I went to Troas* to preach the gospel of Christ*and found that the Lord had opened a door* for me,”  2 Corinthians 2:12 NIV

Paul says, in this passage from his 2nd letter to the church in Corinth, that God had given him opportunities to preach the Good News.  The NIV says “the Lord had opened a door for me.”  That is a phrase I use all the time.  Has God ever opened a door for you?  Maybe a better question is, “have you walked through the doors God has opened for you?”  I do believe God opens doors of great opportunity for us.  The question is, what do you with those opportunities?

Here’s another verse that talks about opportunities.

“For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity* in you.”  2 Corinthians 9:10 NLT

This verse says God will give us opportunities to do good, just like He gives us bread to eat and seed to the farmer.  God gives us many opportunities to do good; to show kindness to a neighbor in a time of need or love someone who feels unlovable.  Maybe, my open door is a chance to share my testimony about what God has done for me.  If we open our eyes and look for God’s handiwork in our lives we will see many opportunities to do good. 

I don’t think there is any doubt about it—God does, absolutely, give us many opportunities to “do good.”  So, if I choose to do good in an opportunity that God has given me, does that automatically honor God?  The answer is NO. Well, it does honor God to a certain extent because God wants us to do good.  But, there is one more, very important thing that is needed—look at these 2 verses:

“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.* But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”* 

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”*   Genesis 41:15-16 NIV

Did you see it? Joseph immediately gives ALL glory to God, even though it would have been easy to agree with Pharaoh and simply say, “yes, I can interpret dreams.”  Joseph honored God by giving Him all the credit. 

If we want to honor God, we must not only “do good” in any opportunity he provides, we must also point our finger to God and give Him ALL the credit for whatever good we do.  This goes against our human nature—the very nature God gave us.  Why would God ask us to go against the nature he gave us?  The answer is simple—he wants us to really want to give Him ALL the glory; not because we have to but, because we want to…because we love Him.

This is, exactly, what we see in the example of Jesus. He completely humbles himself, because of his love for God and his love for us. 

Here are two passages where Jesus teaches about humility:

“He [Jesus] called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children,* you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.* 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.*  Matthew 18:2-4 NIV

and

“[Jesus speaking] But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 14:10-11 NIV