The Sower’s Bag

I just recently returned from a trip to Panama, where I had a wonderful conversation with several missionary families. To have a better understanding of what it's like to live in a different country and adjust to a new culture, I asked "What is one of the most difficult things to get used to here in Panama?" One response was rather amusing: having individuals drive in the left lane who don't care if you need to get around them or not.

The conversation lasted a few more minutes, and several of the missionaries shared their thoughts with me. The conversation then shifted to the modern culture of Panama and how it affected the church. All of the missionaries are members of local churches in Panama and are working hard to spread the gospel in their communities. These missionaries have served in the country for varying lengths of time, ranging from three to seventeen years, and they have all come to the same conclusion: their job is to be faithful to the Lord and share the gospel as much as possible.

One missionary gentleman stated it this way. He used the image of a field master instructing his men to go out every day and sow seed. The sower's role was not to question the master, but rather to go out into the field, plant the seed, and return that night with an empty bag. The sower is not responsible for ensuring that the plants grow and flourish. That isn't their job. They are to tend to the field.

This is exactly what Paul is expressing in 1 Corinthians 2:5–9. Our role as Christians is to consistently sow and water the gospel seed. However, we are not accountable for its growth. That's God's job. God and God only is the one who brings growth.

We, as Christians, have been commissioned to proclaim the gospel all across the world. We have been given orders to go into the "fields" and sow the seeds of the gospel. We are not responsible for whether or not someone comes to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Obviously, we should care about such souls, but there is nothing we can do to persuade that individual to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I believe that is why Paul says we must "sow and water," but he also reminds us that only through God will someone accept Jesus Christ into their life.

This really got me thinking about my own life. Am I picking up my "seed bag" on a daily basis and sowing the seeds? And, at the end of the day, will I have an empty seed bag, or will there still be plenty of seeds that have yet to be planted?

What about you? Is your seed bag empty at the end of the day?