The same blessing was repeated when Noah came forth from the ark. God told him, "Bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein" (Gen. 9:7).
Then God gave Noah the key to His abundance and multiplication when He tied man's life to the seed principle. He said, "While the earth remains there will be seedtime and harvest" (see Gen. 8:22).
The seed principle touches every area of your life:
• It is the core of God's system.
• It ties you to the Lord.
• It links you with the Source of life - God Himself!
In the parable of the sower, Jesus gives us five ways that people can plant their seed to God (see Mark 4:2-8). See if any category sounds familiar. As a general rule, Evelyn and I always check to see if our seed is current. We continuously check ourselves to make sure God's plan is always fully in effect in living our lives for the Lord.
The Five Ways
1) You don't plant your seed at all. You keep your seed. When Noah came forth from the ark after the Flood, the earth was completely stripped. Yet God told him that there would always be seedtime and harvest in the earth. It looked hopeless. But God said, "Noah, you can plant a seed."
Friend, however hopeless things may look for you right now, God gave us a formula of how to plant our seed for a harvest. One thing is certain - if you keep your seed and don't plant it, there will be no harvest! God has taught me that a neglected or rejected opportunity to sow my seed is a lost opportunity to receive.
2) You can plant by the "wayside." The Lord said that the birds come and eat this kind of seed, meaning the devil comes and steals it away.
God is saying that you must have purpose in your seed-planting. You must choose your soil wisely. You must sow your seed where God's work is really being done. That's where the good soil is.
3) You can plant on "stony ground." In other words, you can plant your seed where the soil is shallow. It will come up, but it won't last. The Lord said that when the sun gets hot, it burns up this kind of seed. If you plant where it's too easy, you won't have much of a harvest.
4) You can plant your seed "among the thorns" or weeds. As the seed begins to grow, thorns will grow up and choke the life out of it.
That means if you're planting for the wrong reasons - to be well thought of or to be rich and powerful for yourself only - it will destroy your seed.
5) You can plant in "good soil." Know where your seed is going. When you plant into the work of the Lord, believe God that it will be used for the salvation of souls and the healing of broken lives so the kingdom of God will increase. Then it can produce a plentiful harvest - 30, 60, or a 100-fold return! (see Matt. 13:8).
I Don't Have Anything to Give!
Some people think they don't have anything to give to the Lord. But everybody has something they can give.
I once told a man who was facing bankruptcy that if he would give out of his need and aim his seed toward his need, I felt God would deliver him from his financial strain.
"But, Mr. Roberts, I don't have anything to give!" he exclaimed.
"Everybody has something to give," I said. "Think about it. Seed must be sown. If all you sow are your good intentions, how can God multiply them into a harvest that you can reap?"
As he thought about it, he discovered there was something of value that he could give to God. And when he gave it, a miraculous change took place in his business and in his spiritual life as well!
If you're wondering what kind of seed you should give, let me ask you a question: What is your need?
Remember, Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given." That means what you give - whether good or bad - will be measured back to you. Whatever you give, make it something you feel in the depths of your being, something that represents the real you. A seed of faith is anything that you give out of your heart.
Each of us has his or her own God-given gifts that we can give (see Rom. 12:6). We have:
• Ideas.
• Imagination, which leads to concepts.
• The insight to recognize worth in others.
• Appreciation, kindness, and interest.
• Understanding and encouragement.
Remember, Jesus emphasized the value of giving the little things:
• A grain of corn
• A cup of cold water
• One talent
• The lost coin
• A kindness done "to the least of these"
• Five loaves and two fishes
You Can Plant in Many Ways
If you emphasize the size of the seed, you're forgetting God's ways. How tiny are some of the seeds that He planted - like a little Babe in a manger - but how powerful and dynamic the results! Giving includes money, but it is far more than money.
Every time you love, you plant a seed. Every time you give a word of encouragement, you plant a seed. Every time you pray for someone, you plant a seed. Every time you have a good thought toward someone, you plant a seed.
Have you heard this poem? I believe it sums up the Seed-Faith way of life.
till you ring it,
A song is not a song
till you sing it,
Love in your heart
is not put there to stay,
Love is not love
till you give it away.
Seed-Faith living means that you do what Jesus did:
- You love first.
- You give first.
- You forgive first.
- You apologize first.
- You pray for others first.
- You smile first.
- You go the second mile first.
- You take the first step.
When you do these things, you initiate a new direction in your life. You seed to God your source for a miracle! And He will always do His part.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Oral Roberts, B.A., M.Div., LL.D., founder of Oral Roberts University, was recognized as one of the outstanding personalities of his generation. Educator, evangelist, businessman, author, and television personality are among the many titles for which Roberts has gained acclaim.
