Luke 8:5-7
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.
Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Here is the parable from the Development Officer's perspective:
There was a moderately successful fundraiser who came to the town of Muchville to raise funds for his school. He printed some beautiful literature and prepared his story to tell the residents.
The first group he came to had no interest in his appeal; they took his literature and threw it away.
Then he came to some donors who contributed a little bit of money to get him off their back and to keep from feeling guilty. This giving did not last and he moved on.
The next group was very wealthy. The folks started to give, but before long they remembered their very comfortable life and the god of materialism choked out the giving they had begun.
The last group had been blessed with the grace of giving and they appreciated the opportunity to show their love for and obedience to God. They responded in a large way and gave great amounts and were privileged to do so.
The development officer exclaimed, "The Lord has visited His people and spoken to their hearts - the joy of generous giving is evident here".
This parable reminds us that we will encounter many adverse situations, but we must keep sowing and planting because the Great Farmer has gone before us, prepared the soil, and brings the harvest.
Let us keep persevering for the good of the Kingdom.
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