Seedtime and Harvest

Grace allows us to receive what we do not deserve—salvation. Our relationship with God is based on his grace. Our relationship with others and with the world around us is based mostly on reciprocation, or cause-and-effect. Newton’s Third Law of Motion is to every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force.

The Hindus and Buddhists talk of karma—the idea that action brings upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad. I completely reject the reincarnation aspect of karma. In everyday life karma, or what-goes-around comes-around, or planting and harvest is spot on. In my relationship with God, I trust in the grace of God, not in planting and harvest. But, planting and harvest is a law that governs life on earth.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NKJV)
      To everything there is a season,
      A time for every purpose under heaven:
      A time to be born,
      And a time to die;
      A time to plant,
      And a time to pluck what is planted;

When is comes to planting and harvesting, like begets like. Whatever kind of seed you plant, you will harvest the same kind of produce. Apples produce apples, bears produce bears, hatred produces hatred, etc. Not all seeds produce in the same way. Some seeds multiply quickly. Others require more patience.

Farmers plant from 25,000 to 45,000 seeds per acre. According to the Iowa Corn Producers the average yield per acre of corn is 183 bushels. There are 72,800 kernels in a bushel of corn. So, each acre produces about  13,322,400 kernels. Every seed planted yields at least 300 kernels of corn at harvest, just a few months later.

Oak trees are far different from corn. Only 1 in 10,000 acorns become an oak tree. Oaks don't start producing acorns until they are at least 20 years old. They only reach their maximum production after they are 100 years old. A mature oak produces about 2200 acorns yearly. Their average life span is around 200 years. So, oak trees produce about 350,000 acorns in their life span.

Nearly everything in life can be considered a seed. Time, words and money are all seeds. Not every seed will produce the same. Some seeds will multiply quickly. Others are like acorns. Not every kind action will be immediately rewarded. Yet, kindness will certainly be rewarded richly if practiced continually over a lifetime. Kindness toward others will beget kindness in return.

A good portion of your time and money should be used to bless others and to advance God's kingdom. Words destroy, so you should put a guard on your lips. Words edify, so you should be generous with compliments and words of comfort.

All seed left in the bag will never produce, and will usually rot.

Peace,

Stan