“Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT)
Johnny Appleseed (aka John Chapman) was a missionary who is most known for planting apple trees in the frontiers of America. He shared the gospel by example--leading a life of simplicity, humility, intentional generosity, gratitude, and faith. Children’s books depict him as a barefoot young man, in tattered clothes, who randomly dropped apple seeds wherever he went. In truth, John Chapman was very intentional about his farming. He planted nurseries--nurturing the seedlings until they were hardened. He built fences around the nurseries and then found local farmers to care for his plants by giving them a share of the trees. He returned every year or two to tend to the seedlings. The trees he planted provided fruit for future generations of humans, birds, and animals.
Farmers know that planting generously yields maximum harvest. However, dumping all the seeds in one spot on poor soil is wasteful. Good farmers are intentional about everything they do. They plant seeds carefully, preparing the soil ahead of time in the proper season, distributing the seeds evenly, watering, fertilizing, and protecting their seedlings from livestock and pests.
Similarly, good stewards are intentional in their generosity. Haphazard and impulsive giving may seem charitable, but it can be wasteful. Timing, distribution, and research are important factors that need to be considered. We are called to be responsible with what we have been given--our money, talent, time, gifts, connections, opportunities, wisdom, strength, etc. Thus, let us take the seeds of our resources and plant them carefully for maximum yield.
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