Daily in the Word 3-30

A Faithful Sower
Monday, March 30, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”

Matthew 13:18–19


God requires your faithfulness, not your productivity.

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning—and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”

The greatness of America can be traced to the seed of Christianity planted in our nation long ago. The very reason for our existence as a nation apart from England was for religious freedom. While many today would deny our Christian heritage, history is clear that our nation was founded on Christ.

Just as that seed of Christianity was planted in our nation, so the seed of the Gospel is daily planted into the hearts of unbelievers by faithful sowers. Christ gives us a parable to explain how the sowing of His Word produces fruit.

We see in Matthew 13 the story of a man who faithfully sows seed on different types of ground. The seed is sown, but because of the different grounds, the results are different. The Bible does not blame the sower for the results, but praises him for his faithfulness.

In today’s world, we are to be the sowers. The seed represents God’s Word and we are to sow it into the lives of the lost. God doesn’t hold us responsible for the results of our sowing, but simply requires our faithfulness in getting the seed of His Word out.

Just as the seed faced difficult ground, so you will face difficult people. There will be people who reject the seed of the Gospel and ignore its message. There will also be people who listen to the Bible and seem to understand it, but do not accept Christ.

The reaction of those to whom you witness is not your responsibility. God is the One who works in hearts to bring others to know Him. He takes care of the results and wants you to simply be faithful to sow.

Have you ever become discouraged because of the results of your witnessing? Have you prayed for, labored over, and diligently witnessed to someone only to see them reject God’s Word? Realize that God has a divine plan in it all. Sometimes you will be the first to sow in their hearts, other times you may help water and soften their hearts, and sometimes God will allow you to see the harvest of a lost soul come to Him. Remember that God requires you to be faithful in planting the seed of His Word no matter what the results are today.