Productive Seeds

Productive Seeds

Read: John 12:23-26

“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

John 12:24

“Sacrifice releases power. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the power released.”

—John Richard Wimber

IN WORD To the eyes of casual onlookers who do not hold kingdom values, the gospel is a waste. They see the life of Jesus as tragically “cut short.” Just think of what He could have done had He lived longer! They believe the talents of many young people have been squandered on “religious service” rather than impressive secular-minded careers. Just think of the achievements that could have bettered mankind if they had focused on something “practical”! The fruit of the kingdom is hardly visible to those outside of it.

David Brainerd, an early missionary to the Indians of the American Northeast, lived among them in a forest while his health deteriorated. He died at twenty-nine, having seen only a handful of converts. But his diary prompted William Carey, Henry Martyn, and scores of others to go to mission fields. William Borden graduated from Yale before going to Egypt as a twenty-five-year-old missionary. He died of cerebral meningitis within weeks. But thousands have been moved to action by the testimony of his eternal values. And, of course, Jesus spent only three precious years in public ministry before the appointed time of His sacrifice at the hands of a vision-impaired world. But His eternal kingdom is growing mightily.

IN DEED We serve in a kingdom of wheat kernels, mustard seeds, and hidden pearls—small things with huge impact. The world cannot see their value. In our more discouraging moments, neither can we. But history encourages us; the legacies of “wasted” lives have influenced the world in more dramatic ways than any of mankind’s impressive achievements.

Do not be discouraged if your faithful service to God has imperceptible results. They are imperceptible only to the naked eye. They are highly valued in the eternal kingdom, where those who give away their lives find them again.