Great Message In A Tale Of Two Seeds

I appreciate the teaching of the late Dr. Charles Stanley. Monthly I receive a devotional from In-Touch Ministries, filled with inspirational messages.

In the June 2023 booklet, one particular message stood out for me, so I kept in aside. It’s now a year later and I’m sharing my own thoughts in this Blog post.

The message was titled: A Tale Of Two Seeds, adapted from John 12:23-26. Here’s what was written:

There were two kernels of wheat lying on the floor of a cozy barn. One day the farmer came in and told them, “I want to take you out of the barn and plant you in the earth. I’m going to put you in the ground and cover you with soil. It’ll be dark, and you’ll die. But I promise that you will multiply and become fruitful.” 

The first kernel of wheat said, “No way! Count me out. I like my comfort, and I don’t want to die.” But the second one, after careful consideration, decided the promise of a future harvest was worth the sacrifice. So the farmer took him outside and planted him but left the first kernel of wheat in the barn. 

A few days later, a small green sprout appeared where the seed had been planted. It grew and became a stalk of wheat that produced a hundred more kernels. For the next 40 years, the farmer planted all the seeds that had originated from that first one, and year after year the harvest multiplied. However, the kernel that stayed in the barn remained there by itself, never multiplying. 

Dr. Stanley applied this story to Christians. Asking the question: Which kernel of wheat are you? Are you playing it safe, or have you let Christ plant you in the world? Yes, a thought-provoking question indeed. I’ll allow you to answer it for yourself.

I was reminded again of the tale of two seeds when seeds were purchased for our vegetable garden. If we want to harvest vegetables over the summer, the seeds had to be planted. 

We planted yellow and green beans, snap peas, along with cucumber seeds. The seeds were put into the earth so they could die. Now we have to wait patiently for the seeds we planted to grow and come back to life in the form of the vegetable God designed them to be. I say God because all things in the earth come from Him.

Yesterday, we were thrilled to see what we planted poke up through the earth. We’re anticipating a great harvest from the fruit of our labor. Remember; seed + time = harvest.

Back to the tale of two seeds. I have other packets of seed in the shed. Can I expect a harvest from them? No; just like the 1^st corn kernel in the story; if they are not planted, they will remain as they are, and not produce anything.

I pray my Christian life resemble the 2^nd seed in the story. God gives me opportunity on a daily basis to plant seeds to advance His kingdom. I can sow seeds of generosity by giving from the resources He has given me. I can sow seeds of kindness; patience; and love to others. I will reap an abundance of what I sow because God’s Word says so.

Am I concerned I’ll run out of seeds? No; as long as I keep sowing, God will provide seeds for me to plant. My job is to till the garden of my heart and plant the seeds where God directs. The principle of seed + time = harvest is always at work in God’s kingdom. Hallelujah!