Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” (Matthew 19:27, NLT)
Peter, like many of us, asked Jesus “Master, what is our reward for investing everything we have in promoting Your business? (in my own words). Peter considered the opportunity cost for following Jesus and wanted to know how profitable his sacrifice would be in the end. In the same way, we are (sometimes) tempted to rethink about some sacrifices we make in our churches or individually to support God’s work.
Jesus’ response to Peter’s question was remarkable. He replied “everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29, NLT).
Jesus told Peter (in my own words) “don’t worry Peter because whatever you have given up for my sake, you will receive a hundred times as much in return on earth, and you will also inherit eternal life.”
In the same way friends, whatever we are giving (or have given up) for Jesus’ sake, we will receive a hundred times as much on earth, and we will inherit eternal life. In other words, there are bountiful rewards for us in this life. I don’t know how He is going to do it but one thing is certain; God’s Word can be trusted.
Peter’s new job was to fish for people according to Luke 5. And he saw the first part of the promise come to pass on the day of Pentecost. The Scripture says those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day – about 3000 in all.
My question for you is;
What are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus?
Be encouraged that nothing is wasted and God will continually bless you for promoting His Kingdom business. Don’t give up!
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer (2 Corinthians 9:10, NLT)
Mustard Seeds
When God created you, He deposited seeds (talent, gift, etc) inside you. Have you noticed that you don’t see seeds on the cover of fruits but inside? In the same way, God put seeds on the inside which you have to search inside of you to identify them.
The seed of greatness in you.
Someone once said “In every apple, there is a seed. In the seed is the tree. In the tree are many more apples with even more seeds, which produce orchards of trees.” In other words, in every child of God, there is a seed. In that seed is tree which would produce more fruits. These fruits will unearth more seeds, which produce orchards of trees.
Your duty is to sow.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SOWING?
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. (Isaiah 55:10, NLT)
When you act in obedience and sow the seed or use what God has given you (your gifts, talents, resources, etc), He will send down rain to water the earth and cause your seed to grow, producing more seeds for you, as well as giving you enough wealth to satisfy your needs.
That rain could come in the form of new ideas,meeting new partner, finding better spouse, getting promotion, getting out of debt, etc.
Friend God has the right people in your future to help you accomplish your purpose. But you have to start something. You have to sow what you have in your hands. Steve Jobs started with his friend in his father’s garage. When he did his part, according to him, the company grew from two people in His father’s garage to over 4000 in 10 years.
Don’t waste your seed because in that seed you will find everything you would ever need to achieve your purpose
The power of a seed isn’t in its size.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6,7, NIV)
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU WASTE YOUR SEED?
“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:24-27, 30, NLT)
Apple has now created more than a million jobs globally. The question is what would have happened if Steve hadn’t planted the seed he had? When Steve sowed his seed, it brought forth tree which produced fruits. Those fruits have seeds in them so when wise people eat the fruits, they also have something to sow. Businesses have been set up to produce external devices for apple products. All these wouldn’t have been possible if those two guys hadn’t planted their seed.
What account will you give for your seed?
God expects you sow your seed because many people out there (some you may never meet) are waiting to enjoy the fruits your tree will produce. If you fail to sow, you will be held accountable by your Maker.
WHAT MUST BE DONE
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” (Ecclesiastes 11:5, NIV)
Be encouraged to find a soil (platform) to sow your seed. It may look like the acorn but the oak tree can come from it. Don’t be afraid of the unknown and sow your seed in the morning, and at evening. God will do the impossible if you do the “possible”. Don’t waste your seed(s).
Peter, like many of us, asked Jesus “Master, what is our reward for investing everything we have in promoting Your business? (in my own words). Peter considered the opportunity cost for following Jesus and wanted to know how profitable his sacrifice would be in the end. In the same way, we are (sometimes) tempted to rethink about some sacrifices we make in our churches or individually to support God’s work.
Uplifting Christ 