By Tyler Collins, March 22, 2024 

When “stewardship” is raised in Christian circles, most people assume time, talent, and treasures. Although these are three big “buckets” for stewardship opportunities, I want to focus on being faithful to sow seed today. In Mark 4, Jesus tells a short parable as outlined below: 

“Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” (Mark 4:26-29 NLT)

Anytime Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is like…,” we, readers, should note what follows. The seed in this parable is the Word of God, and the ground is the condition of a person’s spirit. We are the farmer, and God is the one who makes the “seed” grow. Our responsibility as the farmer is to sow seed. The harvest cannot come without initial seed throwing. 

When it comes to engaging our neighbors with the gospel (workplace, neighborhood, parks, college campus, etc.), we often assume that throwing a “seed” requires sharing the entire gospel message. I believe sharing any Scripture or pointing others to Jesus is sowing “seed.” 

A question to reflect on this week: how can you sow seed in the spheres in which the Lord has you?