Grow or Not Grow - That is the Question!

Week 10, Day 1 Reading: Matthew 13:1-58

Matthew 13:18-23  “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

In this parable, Jesus describes four different soils of the heart. In each one ... the seed of the Word of God that is planted in it will respond differently. The first soil (the seed that falls on the path and the birds come and eat it) is the heart that is hardened to the truth. As the seed does not penetrate and just lies on the heart's surface, the Enemy comes and snatches it away. The second soil is rocky. Therefore, even though the seed germinates, it does not grow for it has no roots. In fact, it will die in the face of persecution or tribulation. In the third soil, the seed will germinate and begin to grow. But because there are thorns all through it, it will not bear fruit. These thorns are, in Jesus words, "the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches." They will effectively choke out the plant so it remains fruitless. Finally there is the fertile soil. Here the seed germinates, grows and bears fruit. This soil is represented by the one who hears AND understands the word. Understanding here implies "putting it into practice." For if one truly "understands" the word, this is what he or she will do.

So ... as you think of these four soils of the heart ... which is your heart most like? How you answer this question will go a long way toward determining if you live your life for God's glory or merely waste it on the "stuff and fluff" of this world!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj