## Sowing is our responsibility. The soil is their's.
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![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXkKAP5zG2hJahzWgxWd3rsHXdEYGvVnMMLijh2EjSyma/image.png)
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Here are some thoughts to ‘prime the pump’ on the rich topic of fruitfulness:
- We are responsible to plant good seed – choose carefully what seed you allow into the ‘soil’ of your own heart, and what seed you plant in the hearts of those around you. Speak truth! All seed will produce growth similar to whence it came. Truth from the Word of God will produce fruit of lasting, righteous value in our own hearts, in the hearts of other hearers, and in the ministries into which we sow. Likewise, fleshly seed will produce fruit of doubt and death if we let it grow.
- In our own heart, _**we decide**_ if we are providing good soil – a heart that is willing to receive, be invaded by, and respond to growing seed.
- When we are sowing in others hearts, we can pray for and discern if there is good soil or rocky soil. There are times when we should hold onto our seed until good soil is located. “Don’t cast your pearls before swine.” This requires the leading of the Holy Spirit. Knowing where to sow our resources is entirely a matter of spiritual insight.
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## The seed and soil analogy:
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![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmercgvXdtHR2QdSRrTDDaemLCX7r1dSwEgG8HJMbqkN8S/image.png)
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Keep in mind the fact that sowing is an analogy that has several applications.
We sow seed of the Word in our own heart by hearing the Word of God.
We sow seed in the hearts of others by sharing Truth with them.
We sow seeds of time, skills, finances and other resources by giving to Kingdom related ministries and ministers.
- Seed requires **water** in order to grow – Truth and seed are both breathed upon and made alive by the Holy Spirit.
- **Fertilizer** adds nutrients essential for growth and fruitfulness – Our faith to believe, receive and act upon His promises and truth acts to nourish the growing seeds.
- **Sun** – As we spend time in His presence, meditating on and listening to His word and voice, our hearts are warmed, providing another ingredient to healthy harvest.
- **Weeding** – With godly discernment, God will prune away unproductive growth. This includes, lies, sin, fear, and other negative portions of our lives that are strangling our testimony and effectiveness.
- **Pruning** – And when we are being productive for His cause, He then prunes us, cutting off growth that is not as productive as they could be – even ‘good’ things can hinder the better things.
- **Harvest** – It is good to expect and prepare for a harvest of fruit. When we sow evangelism, we should expect souls to be won. When we sow encouragement and edification, we should expect people to grow in their faith and walk. When we sow time into volunteering for the Kingdom, it is good to expect our time to be multiplied. When we sow financially, we can boldly expect to harvest greater financial blessing. Since we have been faithful with a little, we will be entrusted with more. At the same time, if we expect nothing back from our efforts, the harvest will likely sit in the field unharvested, doing no one any good. Expect!
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![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPURFLj8k7aPQ895APYEqdp9gU6Ab7GYtm3eSTLe55xSb/image.png)
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One of the most important goals for a Christian is to bear eternal fruit. There are hundreds of ways in which to do this. As we hear and obey His leading to sow good seed in good soil, our lives will produce many times the quantity we sow in faith.
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## To ensure a good harvest, we must:
Use our best seed.
Be good soil ourselves.
Sow in good soil.
Expect a harvest.
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Another excerpt from my book "The Rest of The Gospel"
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfVBNWi8GzwfYcWaswGo3EeZNiQ4CnfhpA3T22s4b3Re3/image.png)
If you want the book now, you can get it at: [4](https://www.amazon.com/Rest-Gospel-using-working-purchased/dp/1461154529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516496474&sr=8-1&keywords=the+rest+of+the+gospel+Roost)
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Image Credit [1](https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=900&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=1Ed6Wu-tAcrGsQWBu5bYBQ&q=Good+soil&oq=Good+soil&gs_l=psy-ab.3...394097360.394098533.0.394098834.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.2oqWjAU6aZ8#imgdii=l9HLrCfOlxTtpM:&imgrc=xffpZ6Guu_43wM:)
Image Credit [2](https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=900&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=1Ed6Wu-tAcrGsQWBu5bYBQ&q=Good+soil&oq=Good+soil&gs_l=psy-ab.3...394097360.394098533.0.394098834.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.2oqWjAU6aZ8#imgrc=V9EkUr3HBZfK0M:)
Image Credit [3](https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=900&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=1Ed6Wu-tAcrGsQWBu5bYBQ&q=Good+soil&oq=Good+soil&gs_l=psy-ab.3...394097360.394098533.0.394098834.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.2oqWjAU6aZ8#imgdii=6tMjLytHdXGWyM:&imgrc=v4DgmhKA-vC2aM:)