Proverbs 11:18-19 

¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. ¹⁹ Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.

Plantita

         Have you heard of the term “Plantita?” “Plantita” was coined to identify hobbyists who love plants as hobby. Do you like to take care of plants as hobby? If you love to plant or take care of plants at home, they may call you, “Plantita.”

Winter coldness is getting mild but spring is still few months away. Farmers in Canada may have started preparing for farming season in spring. In Canada, if you are going to plant tropical veggies like eggplants and you wish to have great harvest, it’s advisable to start preparing few months before spring season.

         You may have tried planting as hobby or just for fun. Like other ventures, there are many factors to consider in farming; it requires appropriate knowledge, necessary method and sensible approach to be successful in farming.

Making disciples has similarity to farming. Small time farmers do all the works in the farm. Big-time farmers assign workers to different responsibilities.

Let us reflect on what Apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9:

⁶I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

         In big-time farming, some workers are assigned to plant seed; others water or cultivate the plants, but they don’t make plants grow. Likewise, we can’t force disciples to grow mature spiritually right away. There are processes and perfect timing for the Lord to make things grow, both plants and disciples. Farming or making disciples can be opportunities to practically practice our trust in the Lord.

         If you did your best and followed necessary steps when you plant, you wait for the result of your labor. Whatever the circumstance the Lord brings, we have to be thankful. We cannot expect abundant harvest, if we don’t continue to plant.

1.  Plant

¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

         The term “deceptive” can be properly interpreted as “disappointment.” Any venture of a wicked person will result to disappointment. In contrast, any venture that had been planted in righteousness will be rewarded handsomely.

Some theologians suggest that the term “reward” can be interpreted as permanent and satisfying fruit of labor that’s accomplished in righteous manner.

Learn from your favorite biblical character? Did you ever like the story of Ruth?

Ruth

         Ruth had taken care of her mother-in-law of Naomi. Naomi appreciated the kindness that Ruth had shown her. Let’s reflect what it stated in Ruth 3:1-6.

¹One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. ² Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. ³ Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” ⁵ “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. ⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

         Previously, the husband and sons of Naomi died in Moab. Naomi decided to return to Israel, so she urged the widows of her dead sons to return to their biological parents. Her other daughter-in-law left, but Ruth told her, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.

Ruth had no idea what may happen to her when she decided to trust the God of Naomi and take care of the old Naomi. Her goodness to the old Naomi was rewarded; Ruth became the great, great grandmother of King David.

         Together, let us seriously meditate on what it says in Galatians 6:9-10: ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

         Naturally, we prioritize our personal needs, but it’s smart to be kind and good. We should continue to be good and kind whenever we have opportunity, especially to believers. Remembers that the Lord makes things grow; he blesses us to reap the fruit of our labor. So, let’s continue to pursue godly righteousness.

2.  Pursue

¹⁹ Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.

         The term “life” does not simply mean breathing; it signifies satisfactory life experiences and sufficiency of need – food, shelter, clothing, health, safety, peace and necessities of life in this world. Some scholars suggest that the life attained in righteousness can be interpreted as eternal life. Truly, life in heaven promises eternal contentment as compared to undesirable experiences of the wicked.

         When it says that whoever pursues evil finds death, it implies violent and messy life experiences without peace, but evildoers won’t expect it to happen. The term “death” also pertains to eternal torture as punishment of wickedness.

The Scripture teaches that God considers our righteous acts as filthy rags, and everyone is sinful. So, how can we behave in righteousness? By faith, we trust that Christ freed us from sin. Together, let us reflect on Romans 6:22-23:

²²You have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The term “holiness” means “set apart.” The Lord set apart all believers. Mindset, desire, decision and behavior in righteousness are practical proofs of holiness. The Lord himself empowers believers to behave in righteousness.

         Life of believer can be very dramatic, but despite unfavorable circumstance in life, we can sense joyful peace when the Holy Spirit is at work in our life. The Lord declared persecution as biblical mark of his disciples. The first century disciples had been persecuted, but they continued to trust the Lord.

Stephen

         One of the first Christian martyrs was Stephen. He preached before Jewish leaders, and they were furious. Let’s reflect on what it narrated Acts 7:55-60:

         ⁵⁵Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

⁵⁷ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

         While he was dying, Stephen prayed for his tormentors; he must have sensed joyful peace that the Lord receives his spirit. To be killed on the spot while preaching the gospel of Christ is very tragic situation that may possibly happen to any believer. Ordinary people may consider death as undesirable situation. But can you accept that death switches to the next episode of life with the Lord forever? Reflect on what Apostle Paul testified in Philippians 1:21-22.

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 

         Difficulties, struggles, concerns and challenges of life can be intimidating. We want peaceful gladness always, but eternal joy is reserved in heaven. We continue to live in righteousness and expect the Lord to reward us. We store up eternal treasures to cherish eternally. Together, we pray that God inspires us to testify of his love and grace whenever divine opportunity presents itself to us.

         May the Holy Spirit inspire us to discern his divine appointment.

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