Planting a Garden
For the first time since we have been married, my wife and I have planted a garden this year. It has been educational and exciting to work and hopefully, in part, be able to live off of our half-acre of land. We have been kicking ourselves a bit for not having gardened our land in previous years. After all, planting a garden has many favorable attributes Christians should consider. For example...
It is good stewardship. God expects good stewards to invest and profit from their earthly blessings (Matthew 25:14-30). Some are blessed with abilities, others with money, and some with land. One of the noted qualities of the “virtuous woman” is she used her land wisely (Proverbs 31:16).
It gives us a chance to share. How wonderful it is during harvest to be able to feed ourselves and share. Giving food to those who have none will be considered in judgment (Matthew 25:31-40). To be “ready to give” and “willing to share” is commanded of the rich in 1 Timothy 6:18.
It teaches valuable qualities. Growing a garden requires labor, reminding us of the work we must also do in “God’s field” (1 Corinthians 3:6- 9). It also requires patience reminding us of what is required of Christians as we await the Lord’s reward (James 5:7-8). Further, it reminds us to be thankful as we receive “our daily bread” from the Lord (Matthew 6:11).
Gardening also helps open our understanding to Bible passages. Many of Jesus’ statements were made to people in an agrarian culture. They farmed and understood illustrations referencing farming. So, in the gospel of Matthew Jesus refers to His “yoke” being “easy” (Matthew 11:28-30). In Matthew 13 alone, Jesus reveals four short parables to the multitude: the soils, the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed and the leaven. Understanding these would be much easier with an agricultural background.
Its yield is worth the effort. At harvest, some sweat and $50 worth of seeds will end up saving us $500 or more from the produce section at the grocery. In a tough economy, those with land might want to consider working it to save themselves some money. God’s answer to your economic woes might be your own backyard. Of course, we can make a parallel. Living the life of a Christian has a cost (1 Corinthians 15:58). Yet, such work is not “in vain.” The reward far outweighs the effort (Galatians 6:7-9).
Think about it.
June 2009