Wednesday July 26, 2017
In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells us that among the seeds that fell on the good soil “some produced a hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty.” Why such variable yield even on good soil? Does it mean even the good soil wasn’t good enough?
Not really. We can take a clue from the parables of the talents (Matt 25:14-30) and of the laborers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16) to understand this phenomenon. Different people are given different talents, abilities, and life circumstances; and as long as they produce fruits according to their talents and within their limitations, God’s purpose is served and He delights in them. Thus some of the good soil might be able to produce only thirtyfold, some, only sixty, and yet some, a hundredfold. God does not judge on the basis of quantity, but on quality. He does not look for equal productivity, but for an honest response to the Word sown.
How do I judge God’s people in their response to the Word?
