Christian Living

PLANTING THE RIGHT SEEDS

by paul hoffmaster
11/06/16
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There are many different types of seed, each with a distinct purpose. Producing something that will serve for the benefit of both the grower and the consumer is the objective of the sower. Wherever the seed is planted, weeds will begin their attack on the germinating seed. Any farmer or gardener will readily agree that the challenges they face will be a continual battle.

 One of the popular seeds that Christians plant is money. The hope is that the “money seed” will result in a reaping of financial blessings. So many of these sowers are hoping that through financial reaping their debts will be wiped out and any materialistic gains will testify to God's blessings. The Scriptures they use for seeding finances is taken out of context, or stretched so far that it becomes a promoted doctrine. Every Believer needs to erase any preconceived notions pertaining to financial giving and reread all the Scriptures that have been the flagship of the “prosperity gospel.” Look at the context in which the subject was addressed. What was the objective in those situations? It will be difficult to separate oneself from preconceived notions. Unlearning incorrect teachings, especially those solidified in mental concrete, will take a jackhammer effort. What is our objective in searching God's Word? Is it not to know the Truth? So much of Christianity is focused around materialism. When one takes money out of the Christian equation, it will expose how shallow the Church has become, especially in spiritual truths.

 So much of the Church doctrines are interpretive instead of Scripturally factual. So much of our teachings evolve around the “improvement theory,” which attempts to share what the Bible is “really” saying. There are so many translations of the Bible that it has left serious seekers bewildered as to what display of words convey the real Truth. Diversification of teachings, especially pertaining to the same subject, has caused a mockery of responses by the worldly spectators. What is needed is a revival in the Church, not in individual bodies of Believers, but in the Church itself. Whatever labels are on the doors of our local churches, we all need to fall on our knees and ask for forgiveness for our divisions. One of Jesus' last prayers was that His followers would be unified, just as He and God are one. (John 17:21) Much of the dialogue of Christians seems to center around what church they belong to, instead of to WHOM they belong. We must stop promoting buildings, and start presenting the Cornerstone of our faith. (Ephesians 2:20) We must stop picking and choosing Scriptures that form a doctrine that defines us. We must stop proclaiming selected Scriptures that can be twisted and turned into tools of inclusiveness. We must stop presenting a diversification of Believers, for we are all one in Christ.

 The seed we plant must always be able to produce a result that will bring honor to God. Generic seeds produce division and self promotion. When the Church plants the seed of God's unaltered Word, it will experience phenomenal growth, both numerically and spiritually.

 Our whole life should be dedicated to being more like Jesus. The “money seed” that is being promoted today is more like the Rich Young Ruler questing for eternal life, but his heart was on his monetary achievements. (Matthew 19:16-26) If we are looking for financial stability, we will not find it by sowing money to get money, but by seeking first and only the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33)

 Let us plant seeds of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, and then harvest the Fruit that will bring a hungry nation to the Table!