By the word ‘seed’ we all know what it is meant for. The basic, straight, and specific purpose, that is grows to be sown back. We don’t need to have a degree to understand this simple idea. But in Christian world this meaning is smothered, stretched, and extended to give a new purpose and a meaning. Read this verse carefully, “Now the one who provides seed for the Sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”. 2 Corinthians 9:10 CSB. I have heard it quite often this interpretation that says money and resources given to a person are for the purpose of sowing back to receive more.
This chapter 2 Corinthians 9, urges Christians in the Corinthian church to follow through on their commitment. They had agreed to participate in a collection for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul says he should not even need to write to them about the collection, which he calls the "ministry for the saints" (2 Corinthians 9:1). The offerings in the New Testament were very different from the Old Testament tithes, which is still practised and emphasized conveniently for a specific advantage. Let me clarify this. The offerings are inclusive of giving to Church, for Missions (1Timothy 5:17-18), Relief work (Acts 12:25; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 8:7 9:12; Hebrew 13:16 and for Widows and Orphans (1 Timothy 5:3; James1:27).
Today, the concept of tithes is continued to be on the top of the Christian priority because the leaders know if the mandated percentage is removed then the giving, amounting to that 10% percentage will drop down, for sure. Therefore, this concept stays as the number one rule in the Church institution. Scripture never mandates a specific amount each Christian or church must give. Paul even refuses to name a percentage of income or belongings. Instead, God's word sets a standard according to what each person has decided to give. Well, the intention of the blog is not about inducing a conviction to make a believer give, but to sow themselves for the Great Commission; the mission Christ mandated for all.
I usually say this that the congregation is the under-utilized, unempowered, unengaged people group for the mission work. Most of the Christian research study states that more than 90% of Christians have never shared the gospel even once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it does not alarm the body of Christ. We have robbed the congregation of its purpose for Christ’s mission. Attending the Church, week after week and paying their offerings become the top, satisfying and only priority for all the people. Pastors and Leaders, if you have people following you then they are the seeds that you need to sow back in to make them fruitful and multiplying.
In this context let me point out what Solomon questioned, “Why is there money in the hand of the fool to buy wisdom, when he has no common sense or even a heart for it?” (Proverbs 17:16 AMP) As a metaphor why is one holding the seeds as part of congregation when the leader does not use them for the right purpose. Why are they not equipped to be effective gospel sharers in their sphere of influence. Burk Parson made this powerful statement, “Just because there's a church building on every corner doesn't mean the gospel is preached on every corner.”. Church is the people, the disciple of Christ, the word overused little more than 260 times than the word Christians which is used only 3 times in the New Testament. Discipleship today, has become a training program and a certification course. Dear Church, don’t just hold them accountable for not paying the Church offerings or failed attendance for the Church activity, but for sharing the gospel which is everyone’s responsibility. Every individual is a mobile Church, don’t institutionalize the person. Consider the way Jesus operated. John Mac Arthur puts it beautifully, “Jesus' entire ministry was in the street, in the field, in other people’s homes, in synagogues, on the road, on the sea, with only occasional retreats into isolation to restore His energy, rest His body, and fellowship privately with His disciples.”. Jesus' purpose is our purpose too.
Remember the parable of the talent, which is usually referred to business and exhibiting one’s skill set, but what if it is about the seed the people. We are supposed to be used for discipleship and multiplication. Many are like the guy with one talent preserved it safe and were called useless. We know how he was condemned to eternal damnation. “And throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30 CSB. Our responsibility lies in sowing the seed to get the maximum produce as said in John 12:24 "Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.".
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