Plant Good Seeds

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 13:24, 37-38

“Ready to pick corn?” Mr. VanCamp asked Dominic. He motioned to the open cab door on the tall farm machinery.

Excited to ride in a combine, Dominic hurried up the ladder. The homeschool co-op his family joined had arranged a farm field trip two hours away from his inner-city home. On the way, Dominic had watched tall buildings fade into rows of houses that became fewer and fewer until there were more fields than homes. Combines, with tires taller than people, chugged through those fields of dried corn and soybeans, gleaning the grains from the stalks just like they studied in their agriculture lessons.

Mr. VanCamp crawled into the cab behind Dominic. He turned the key and the machinery rumbled to life, then he eased the combine into a nearby field. He pressed a button and the huge front blades rotated and sliced through the dried corn stalks.

“Will this corn be part of someone’s Thanksgiving dinner?” Dominic asked.

“Oh no,” Mr. VanCamp said. “This field is full of good-quality corn I’m growing for a seed company. I took special care of this crop so other farmers could plant good seed next year.”

Dominic looked across the horizon. “It’s nice that you help other farmers. I helped with our church’s community garden. I loved watching the plants grow, and the veggies tasted yummy.” Dominic rubbed his stomach. “I’m going to be a farmer when I grow up and plant good seeds too.”

“Farming is a good profession,” Mr. VanCamp said, casting a glance at Dominic. “But you don’t have to be grown up to plant good seeds. If you’re a Christian, you can start planting those seeds now.”

Dominic scrunched his face in confusion. “I live in a city and don’t own a tractor. How can I plant good seeds?”

Mr. VanCamp smiled wide. “Christians can plant good seeds anywhere and anytime! All we have to do is show others what Jesus is like by being kind, helpful and loving, and tell them about God’s gift of salvation. When we plant the seeds of the good news of Jesus, God will use our efforts to bring more people to Him and make His kingdom grow.”

“Oh!” exclaimed Dominic. “I can do those things. I’ll tell more people about Jesus. I’ll start planting His good seeds!”

-Rose Ross Zediker

How About You?

Did you know that everyone who knows Jesus, both kids and adults, can plant the good seeds of God’s kingdom? It’s easy! Tell others about God’s love and forgiveness. Share Bible stories with your friends. Invite people to church. Treat others with kindness. Those good seeds will help God’s kingdom grow!

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Plant seeds of God’s kingdom