Life Through Death

The lesson of seed sowing teaches liberality. “The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6, NRSV.TEd 65.7

The Lord says, “Blessed are you who sow beside all waters.” Isaiah 32:20. To sow beside all waters means to give wherever help is needed. This will not tend to poverty. By casting it away the sower multiplies the seed. So it is that by imparting we increase our blessings. God’s promise assures a sufficiency, that we may continue to give.TEd 66.1

By the casting of grain into the earth the Savior represents His sacrifice for us. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,” He says, “it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” John 12:24. Only through the sacrifice of Christ, the Seed, could fruit be brought forth for the kingdom of God.TEd 66.2

So it is with all who bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ. Self-love, self-interest, must perish. The life must be cast into the furrow of the world’s need. But the law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away. So the life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and humanity.TEd 66.3