Sowing and Reaping

"Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."      Matthew 13:8

Fertile soil for Him and for others

In the 13th Chapter of Matthew, Jesus, teaching beside the sea, tells a very large crowd about the parable of the sower. While the purpose of the parable was not to teach common-sense agricultural practices (it was to hide the secrets of the kingdom from some and reveal them to others), nevertheless, the facts Jesus presented about plant growth were also true. Seeds sown on fertile soil are more likely to take root and prosper, just like God's word, the "seed" in this parable, will flourish in the heart of the believer. Jesus could speak truths about His eternal kingdom using examples from nature because His attributes are revealed in what He made (Romans 1:20).

But what does this have to do with a chart of Per Capita GDP, or Gross Domestic Product? And why is there such an enormous difference between the USA's GDP, the country that provides the most support for SRS' efforts, and the former Soviet Union countries that SRS ministers to?

The answer to that second question is complex, but if you keep reading the parable of the sower, Jesus says in verse 12 "For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Does God's word have anything to say about the differences in material fruitfulness of nations, or is it only referring to spiritual fruits?

Over the past few months, we've posted country comparison charts of national fertility rates, AIDS infection rates, and degree of corruption. Take some time to study those charts, then study this one on GDP again. What do you think, are low productivity, low fertility, high corruption and high AIDS rates signs of a humble and obedient nation or one in rebellion against God?

Climbing out of the darkness (and keeping from falling further into it)

While Americans spend a lot of time bemoaning our country's problems (which we should), I think it is helpful to occasionally lift our heads from our sometimes obsessive naval-gazing and take a look around. When I look at these charts of present-day statistics, and reflect on the history of our nations (USA and USSR), it seems pretty obvious that many in the USA are fighting to keep from descending into an abyss of rebellion against God, while many in the former Soviet Union are trying to help their countries crawl out of the dark and into the Light.

America continues descending downward from her Christian heritage, the first country to declare as self-evident the biblical truth that all men were created equal (Proverbs 22:2, Ephesians 6:9, etc.) and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. And former Soviet Union citizens are climbing upwards from a 20th Century tar pit where atheism was considered the national religion, and tens of millions were tortured, murdered and/or sent to the gulag (prison labor camp) for things as random as simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time when security officers were in need of someone to fill their monthly quota of prisoners.

Changing the world, loving others, sharing the harvest

So, what do you think? Can our obedience to Christ change this world for His glory in a measurable way? Well, can a hard-working farmer turn a barren field into productive farmland? Yes! God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if His people "humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Pastor Kirill Treschetka's family harvesting potatoes earlier this Fall.
Kirill is pastor of Freedom in Christ Presbyterian Church, Kavalerovo, Russia.

When we humble ourselves and repent, by God's grace we really can change things. We will want to flee from corruption, because the Lord detests false measurements, but He delights in accurate measures (Proverbs 11:1). We will want to be more productive, bearing more fruit, and sharing with others, simply because He said "go" and do these things(Genesis 1:26-28, Matthew 28:19-20). But we will also know our salvation in Christ is a guarantee of our eternal life (John 3:16), not our present material comfort. In this present life, we, like Paul, must labor "according to the grace of God given to me." (I Corinthians 3:10).

Does the average American Christian reading this have an obligation to share some of their material blessings to help their Christian brothers and sisters in the former Soviet Union build productive and God-glorifying families, churches and communities, uniting our different cultures in Christ? Well, that's between you and God, but if He puts it on your heart to financially support SRS and it's work in the former Soviet Union, then click here. And thank you!

Finally, above and beyond material support, you can provide spiritual support every day by praying for the ministry of SRS. Thank you for reading, and thanks for praying for SRS!