Your harvest depends on where you sow.

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

There was a pastor that before his message on planting good seed in bad soil sprinkled watermelon seeds on the carpet, telling the people that he wanted watermelons so he was sowing what he wanted to reap. Everyone laughed, or course, because he was violating a fundamental rule of sowing. He was “planting” his watermelon seeds in an environment that was not conducive to their growth. In biblical terms, he was planting good seed in bad soil.

You can’t just plant your seed anywhere; you have to plant it in soil that is designed to receive and nourish the seed that is being planted. In the spiritual realm, sowing in good soil is to invest in that which will allow you to legitimately give thanks to God. Paul explained it this way in our text: “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

Can you give thanks to God for where you are sowing your seed? Are you sowing it in a place where it will reap a harvest of righteousness that is producing praise and glory and thanksgiving to God? If you cannot give thanks to God for where you are sowing your seed, then you ought not to be sowing it in that place. Giving that produces a harvest of righteousness is that which benefits others and gives a basis for thanksgiving.

Where do you need to plant your seed to bring the greatest glory to God?

Dear Lord, help us to plant Your seeds of love in the people around us that need it.  We pray that they will be ready to hear the good news. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.