The expression seed-faith is used a lot, but is it biblical?!
When seed is mentioned in the Scriptures it refers to offspring (as in, "seed of Abraham,"
Isaiah 41:8; barren widows,
Mark 12:19,
Luke 20:28), literal seed (planting,
Leviticus 19:19), the children of the kingdom (the "good seed,"
Matthew 13:38), and the Word of God (parable of the sower,
Luke 8:11). There is not one scriptural reference that I can find admonishing us to have seed-faith in order to receive a blessing from God.
To imply that sowing into good ground is the biblical evidence needed for giving seems incorrect to me. The 'good ground' in the parable of the sower is the heart of the one hearing the Word. (
Luke 8:15). It has absolutely nothing to do with whether a particular ministry is worthy of a monetary gift. If an individual is preaching the Word of truth, and someone calls it, "good ground," that is not wrong because it is good ground. HOWEVER, to say that it is
biblically correct to do so is changing the Word to fit our theology...that is not a wise thing to do.
Sowing as it relates to giving
is mentioned in
II Corinthians 9:1-15, however it is referring to being charitable. In verse 10, Paul uses the concept of planting a seed and reaping a harvest. His aim was to show the difference in giving and reaping sparingly and giving and reaping bountifully, and he used terms that were familiar to them (v. 6). We must rightly divide the Word...He was not talking about offerings which are made to the house of God. Tithes and offerings was not a Church law, but a law given to humanity. As Jews, they were required to tithe and offer God a gift, and that was decreed in the Word long before the Church appeared on the scene. So, giving to support the work of the ministry was not the point in Paul’s letter to the Saints in Corinth for they already knew that. Charity was the subject at hand.
In teaching, we pull a lot of examples out of Scriptures trying to make a point. It is done all of the time, and there is nothing wrong with it, as long as we do not teach it as biblical fact. Understand me, please...for someone to use the comparison of sowing and reaping with regards to giving is not wrong, but it is NOT biblical to do so.
Isaiah 55:10 mentions the seed and a sower, but is not a prosperity Scripture. The prophet is describing how rain and snow water the earth so that things will grow. The sower takes the seed from that which has grown and plants it. In other words, he is a farmer. As the rain doesn’t return unto God again, but accomplishes the end result, that of feeding the farmer, so it is with the Word of God. It is all about the prosperity of the Word and Gods promise to His people.
We are taught in
Luke 6:38 by Jesus Christ to give, but again, it is charitable giving that is mentioned. As Christians, we certainly should be charitable to mankind, and financial supporters of the work of the Lord. But, it must be said that it is interesting to see that He mentioned the gift once. He didn't beg or threaten, but simply said, "Give..."
Likewise, the reward is mentioned once, "...and it shall be given unto you..." Our sacrifice and generosity will be remembered and returned, and the way it will be returned is mentioned five times. "...good measure," indicating that we won’t get back more than what is deserving, and no less. It will be the correct measure, "...pressed down, and shaken together, and running over." This means that the measure of blessing is pressed down firm, or compacted, to the point of over-running our store house.
And, when you give, "men shall give unto your bosom." It is a chain reaction of giving.
Ecclesiastes 11:1, "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." Theologians believe that the writer may have been referring to Middle Eastern bread which is thin and in the form of a cake, the idea being that cast upon the water, it would float. The thought is that as we give, or "cast our bread upon the water," someone behind us is doing the same thing. What we receive is what has been cast or given by someone else. Thus, men are giving unto our bosom.
Please understand this...I believe in living a prosperous and complete life in Him and there is nothing wrong with money. But in my opinion, what is incorrect is to take Scripture of of context, time and reason, and make it doctrine.
We must rightly divide, for example,
II John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things (in or concerning all things) that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” Just what is the writer saying here? Is this Scripture exclusively speaking about money?
In writing to Gaius, Paul is bestowing blessings on his friend. It was a common greeting, meaning that Paul desired that all go well with him. It is obvious that Gaius was a healthy Christian, a true Saint, in every respect and was walking in truth (vs. 3-4). The first four verses are simply the opening remarks to a dear friend and Brother in the Lord. In writing to a Saint today, we might say, "Praise the Lord," or "I trust this letter finds you and your family well in Christ Jesus." So, while 'all things" would
certainly include financial prosperity, money was not the
main focus.
I don't believe there is anything wrong with having money or nice things. I am happy to say that I live in a nice home and drive a
very nice car, and I thank God for them. If you happen to have a million dollar home and a fleet of automobiles, that is not a sin, as long as that is not where your treasure is (
Matthew 6:21).
We need money to survive on this planet...our light bill can't be paid with a tape of us speaking in tongues and a salvation tract. In other words, they want to be paid with a check that doesn’t bounce. And God being a God who not only loves, but is love (
I John 4:8), desires that His children have the best. However, we need to understand what the Bible is saying about money. Having a mega bank account and acquiring things is not a sin.
But once again, balance is the key...
Barb 
Hybrid Mode
