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Precious Seed - part 3 of 3 (KJV & Amplified Versions) Within Joseph’s instructions of how the Egyptians were to prepare for the seven years of famine, we find the distinction between seed and precious seed. Joseph directed the Egyptians: “At [harvest time when you reap] the increase, you shall give one-fifth of it to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own, to use for seed for the field and as food for you and those of your households, and for your little ones” {Gen 47:24}. Here we see that precious seed had to be held in reserve for later sowing, for if all the seed were consumed, there would be no future harvest of crops upon which man was dependent for continuation of his own seed. Whether of natural or spiritual seed, God always reserves precious seed, a remnant, to be sown for the sake of others. Precious seed, that which is sown for a yet unseen harvest, is sacrificial seed. Those who give out of abundance sow seed, but those who give out of their own need or weakness offer precious seed. The widow of Zarephath ministered to the prophet of God from her limited supply {I Kings 17:12-14}, and in the temple Jesus took special note of the widow who cast into the treasury her last two mites {Mk 12:41-44}. “There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it tends only to want. The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered” {Prov 11:24-25} How bountiful the harvest for those who in response to the Lord’s voice sow not only seed but precious seed, that which requires sacrificial planting in faith for an unseen but promised harvest. “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” {Ecc 11:1}. To cast one’s bread is to sow that which could be used for momentary gratification and self-preservation, trusting not in one’s temporary provisions but in the Great Provider, Sustainer and Rewarder. Solomon’s admonition to “Give a portion to seven, yes, even divide it to eight for you know not what evil may come on the earth” {Ecc 11:2} encourages us to go beyond what appears to be satisfactory or complete giving, for to give a portion to eight not only completes one’s giving but begins a new cycle. In our hands we hold the precious seed of hope without which others may not endure. As we plant into the lives and ministries of those to whom the Lord directs us, we demonstrate our moving from faith to faith by the devotion with which we give our sacrificial seed. “If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth” {Ecc 11:3a}. “He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap” {Ecc 11:4}. As those who sow, we are responsible for sowing the Seed of the Living Word, the Seed Who continues to manifest Himself in and through us. We are to be ready in season and out {2 Tim 4:2a}. For “As you know not what is the way of the wind or how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you know not the work of God Who does all. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand; for you know not which shall prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good” {Ecc 11:5-6}. Born of incorruptible seed, we are to sow the same. “It is the Spirit that gives life – He is the Life-giver; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever – there is no profit in it. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life” {John 6:63}. “Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes in the using; but strive and work and produce rather for the lasting food which endures continually unto life eternal. The Son of man will give (furnish) you that…” {John 6:27}. “…For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap life eternal” {Gal 6:7}. How we sow is as vital as what we sow. “[Remember} this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously and that blessings may come to someone, will also reap generously and with blessings” {II Cor 9:6}. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time o seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you” {Hos 10:12}. We dare not trust in our way but His. “And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace – in themselves and – in others, [that is,] that peace which means concord (agreement, harmony) between individuals, with undisturbedness, in peaceful mind free from fears and agitations passions and moral conflicts” {James 3:18}. May the Lord of the Harvest be pleased to count us as precious seed sown for the growth of His Kingdom, for “They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing. He who goes forth bearing seed and weeps [at needing his precious supply of grain for sowing], shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” {Ps 126:5-6}. -Ruth French March Newsletter 2003 | Faith to the Finish | Are You Ready to Ride? Pastor's Journal March 2003 | Destiny in Flames | Precious Seed - part 3 of 3
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