Sometimes when we read the bible, things stand out to us differently than they did the first 10 times we read it. And right now, I wanted to thank my “Sowed seed” donors. I was looking at the parable of the sower, and I thought that it applied very well to donors/prayer partners too.
You have your seed that falls on the hard path and are scooped up by the birds. These are the people that hear about missions and are deceived by the devil not to give. They may not like the mission organization, they may not like the idea of a mission trip, they may not think they have the resources to give, they may think that if someone is going on missions then that person should pay for it all of their own expenses, or that $16,000 is too much for missions (despite that it covers airfare, ground transportation, food, lodging, and ministry costs for a whole 11 months) Whatever the reason, they don’t give.
Then we have the seed that falls on the rocky ground, and it immediately springs up only to die when it isn’t planted deep enough. These are the donors that are excited about the mission, and they give right away! Over time, the excitement dies out, and the person doesn’t give any more, nor do they pray. They literally just forget about it.
Next is the seed that falls among the thorns that choke it out and steal its resources. These are the donors that give, but over time other things start to take away their resources. Other things crowd in and demand what could have been used to help the mission thrive. I fall into this category at the moment. I do like to give to missions; more than just my own as well. There is a good one called Freely in Hope and another good one called Samaritan’s Purse….but lately I have found myself struggling to balance the rent, tithe, phone/internet, insurance, savings, and the addition love offerings to the aforementioned organizations. The savings is what has had to take the loss because I don’t want to miss out on giving though I might need to take it easy for a little while.
And the last category is where my blessed partners fall! The seed that falls on fertile soil and produces in abundance. These are the people whose hearts have sought the Lord so much that they are just ripe to give help. As soon as the seed of missions falls on their heart it grows. And they stay with it in prayer and giving, going above and beyond until the fruit can be produced.
One of my “Sowed seed” donors blew me away with unexpected help by offering to sell my art at their own church. Another surprised me and made my request to sell t-shirts into a church-wide blessing by putting it in the daily email and handling the collection/distribution. And yet another dipped into her retirement for something, and ended up giving a considerable donation from that money she had. Even more agreed to partner with me in prayers and finances for the year. And for all of you “Sowed seeds”, I cannot thank you enough. You give me the hope and courage to do this.
I don’t always know what I am doing, which can be seen in the The “Failed” Fast, so I am unsure if some may agree on my comparison of donors to soil types. I think it is a good illustration none-the-less and it allows me to thank my wonderful donors and prayer partners once more. Again, you bless me so much! Thank you!
