Lucky Dube, the late South African reggae artiste, in one of his popular songs, said, “What type of rich man are you; who doesn’t care about the poor people? There you read it in the Bible; but don’t understand what it says: It says blessed is the hand that giveth than the one that taketh. Does it make you feel happy when you see another man starving, when you see another man with no food? Does it make you feel great, maybe, to see another man, without a thing?”
This tune clearly sets the mood for one of the most topical issues in Christendom today, especially here in Nigeria. Jesus was critical of the Jews for often dividing the Old Testament into the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. However, in each of those three divisions, we read about the concept of seed sowing in the bible; setting an example for us as believers of the scriptures in today’s world.
The Lord’s Parable of the Sower spoke about a sower that went forth to sow seeds in the fields. In explaining the parable to his disciples, Jesus said, “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). However, in explaining the parable further to his disciples, Jesus said the seed is God’s word, then it follows that the action of the sower sowing seed symbolises or represents a person sowing or teaching the word of God.
However, seed sowing in today’s world has been abused by many a preacher who have tied the concept of seed sowing to material gains, playing down the initial concept of the word, which it symbolises.
While it is true that seeds can at times produce fruit without human efforts in sowing, the concept of seed sowing collaborating the word of Jesus Christ, where he said “the field is ripe for harvest,” as a lesson for Christians to send out the word in anticipation of kingdom harvest.
It is possible that a seed (word) could be spilled out of a container, fall on the ground, and eventually produce fruit. In the same way, a person that has never met a Christian could read the Bible and afterwards, produce a heart that already knows the truth and wants to obey it. However, if the believer fails to sow the seed, there will be no spiritual harvest.
However, what we found in Christendom today are preachers and pastors who promote seed sowing with material and tangible returns for harvest. These are usually referred to as “prosperity gospel preachers” who are strong advocates of the word/work of faith movement that often talk about seed sowing, faith offerings, and the hundred-fold returns. A seed faith offering to these prosperity preachers could only come as money given in faith that God will multiply; in return to the giver.
The more money you give as a believer in God’s vineyard; depicting the level of faith you have as a Christian; the more rewards (money) you get in return. These prosperity preachers often solicit gifts to their ministries by promising such in-kind returns: “sow a seed of N100,000 and trust God to give you back double.” Their appeals for money usually come with a spiritual and scriptural backing such as “God wants to bless you with a miracle” or “Jesus is bigger than your worries” or “Jesus will supply all your needs” with the likes. However, they have the right bible quotations to support their teachings on sowing for the gospel with references like Mark4:8; Mark 4:14; or Malachi 3: 10.
In the recent past, the story on seed sowing has generated heated debate about the essence of the act itself, raising questions like: should we give solely because we want to reap benefits; is it right to give and expect rewards in return under the new covenant dispensation; are we compelled to give to the church/ men of God; and does God expect the poor to give in sowing seed for God’s blessings?
Tunde Henry-Temile, a Port Harcourt-based clergyman and senior pastor of Barnabas Generation, in explaining the concept of seed sowing in Christendom to BDSUNDAY quoted “2 Corinthians 8:1-5” and said, a farmer sows seeds with an expectant intent of abundance. Seed sowing in the church is not different from giving money; material possession; a show of love; visitation and prayers for fellows.
Are we compelled to give to the church/men of God? The word compel gives a signal of force or obligation to do something. Giving is not just an act, but a ministry. It leads to generational impact. 2 Corinthians 8 tells us about a set of people in Macedonia who love God but were very poor. Paul knew their misery and didn’t want to bother them about the urgent needs of the parent church in Jerusalem. When the people got the wind, they were angry with Paul for depriving them from giving. The Bible says they begged again and again for the privilege of giving to the believers in Jerusalem. Paul was surprised because they even gave more than he expected. These people gave not because they were compelled to but because they loved God and understood the ministry of giving. No wonder Paul could pray for them in Philippines 4:19.
“But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
We were taught in science that radiation leads to condensation of the clouds which later fall back to the earth as rain. This is described as ‘water cycle’. This I likened to the ministry of giving. Our sincere giving goes like radiation to saturate the clouds and it comes down like rain. I can’t guarantee you the time lapse for the process but I know it will definitely rain down. This is what the Macedonia church understood.
We can give out of little or nothing but make sure it is without grudges. Give with joy and love even if what you have is sparingly. The Bible says God loves a cheerful giver.
Giving to the church/MOGs and other fellows is a godly act but should be done with understanding and with a cheerful heart. God is not a taskmaster but He had given man the simple principle of giving in Genesis 8:22.
