Kernels of Korn

In last months article I talked (wrote—I hate to write! But I love to talk so get used to some strange writings!) remember:

I'm not readin---I'm listening---I'm not readin--I'm listening.

Where was I? Oh yeah, I was talking last month about some seeds--,  Kernels of Korn and  Biblical  Seeds of Faith.. As I finished writing the next month's column I felt as if we needed to spend some more time on the seeds. Seemingly, God wanted you to realize that some mighty big "CROPS" can come from just a few seeds of faith. My "seed" story has been told  hundreds of  times at churches all over America, is featured in a number of my "talkings" and seminars but is worth repeating  once again because God is after me to tell you! I guess next month's column will just have to stay captured on this computer drive till we let it out! This by the way is a true story and it affected my thinking and life so much that it is one of the major reasons I'm involved in this stewardship ministry.

In 1983, we bought a new house and I finally had a back yard big enough for a garden! I got these ole lily whites all blistered up as I dug up the sod, got the rows in super straight lines and tilled the soil! Wow, I was ready to plant so I tore open the packages of tomato seeds* and gazed upon these mysterious little seed flecks. The longer I stared, I more I became convinced that nothing so dried up, shriveled up and dead looking could grow into a tomato plant! No way could these seeds produce an abundant crop! Why! Those seeds looked useless to me, so I drove back to the garden shop and told the owner that the seeds weren't any good. The owner, trying not to laugh at me, assured me that the seeds were fine and that all tomato seeds looked dead and that all I needed was a little faith in the promise that those seeds held of  an abundant crop. Faith! Promise of an abundant life! I was starting to wonder if the store owner was a Bi-vocational preacher. So, not really believing him but thinking about his mention of faith, I went back home and planted those seeds. Skeptical, cynical, yes! I was sure that I had just wasted my time. Yet, a week or so later I noticed some thin scraggly growth coming from the ground. "Probably weeds" I figured. Weeks later, those thoughts came back to me as I stood in the garden amongst the tall tomato vines and an abundant crop of tomatoes. HEY! THOSE SEEDS REALLY DID WORK!  My patience, preparation, dedication and perseverance was about to be rewarded! As I approached the six foot tall tomato plants, I was amazed by all those tomatoes! What a bountiful harvest from such tiny seeds. How is such a miracle possible?

As I thought about this question and those tomato seeds, I realized that was exactly how I had planted many of God's promises into the garden of my life. At first, I didn't really believe in some of those Biblical promises but, in FAITH, I had planted them and God had made them grow in my life's garden. HE watered them, nurtured them and made them bear fruit. Why, even some of those Biblical seeds that I was sure were dead, dried up and not relevant to my life had grown in the garden of my life, but only after I had planted them! Biblical promises, in the Bible, are like tomato seeds in a package, useless until believed in and taken out of their "packages"!

I don't really understand how a seed works--DO YOU? I don't know how it is that those Biblical  Seeds of Faith  work but I know they work! I planted that old tomato seed, I tested its ability to produce and I doubted and  I wondered about its capacity to produce an abundant crop. Why! Even when the seed started to grow I still questioned and doubted, I figured it was just another weed.

As I stood there in the garden, I thought once again of the Bible lessons on sowing and reaping, I had reaped many tomatoes because I had sown many tomato seeds. This principle will work in life's garden! I could sow the seeds of life and expect to harvest the gifts of life! I soon determined that the seeds of life  are very similar to the seeds of the tomato. I recalled the sowing of seeds such as: love, friendship, enthusiasm, kindness, patience, desire, persistence, optimism, trust, good deeds, joy, faith, tithes, loyalty, gifts, offerings, wisdom, and honesty. What had I harvested from these seeds? Why! Just like I had reaped tomatoes from the tomato seeds, I had reaped exactly what I had sown. When I had loved, I had received love. When I had been friendly and caring I had reaped friends. Just as the tomato seed had produced, my seeds of life had also produced. You see, it's not up to God as to how "big" your crop is, it's up to you! You must plant the seed in order for the Master Gardener to make it grow!

Unplanted seeds, don't grow!

This column is about stewardship and stewardship is just not about money! I want you to GROW all of your abilities, talents, testimony, time and treasures!  Sure, we'll seemingly emphasize money but in all of our talkings think about what other "seeds" could be planted. I do want you to realize that you can become a better steward of all that God has given you! You can become knowledgeable in finances, you can grow your talents and your gifts, you can "GROW" your church by planting seeds of love, friendship and enthusiasm!  But you must do one thing, plant the seed! START! GET OFF THE PEW!

Quit saying you can't and give it a try! You see, with God all things that you think are impossible are possible! But, they are only possible when you take the first step. Do you really think that God will ???? do or give you whatever, until you're ready? Prepared? Educated? No, a thousand times no. You must take the first step! Watch out however, recall Nehemiah, he just wanted to be a wall builder and turned into a Governor. I was so scared the first time I approached a pulpit that my I was sure my breathing would stop, the 40 minute talk that I had practiced for hours, was over in 5 minutes!! You see, none of us have any idea where or what God can do in our lives until we plant the first seed.

Unplanted seeds, don't grow!

 

 Rick Kornmeier
 661 Tallavana Trail, Havana, FL 32333

 *If you send me a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope, I'll send you a package of tomato seeds as a reminder of who the Master Gardener is and as we continue this column these tomato seeds will be a constant  reminder of His power. 1 Cor. 3: 7-8

 

Please note: Mr. Rick Kornmeier CPA CFP does not sell any financial or accounting services, books or tapes. His involvement with Consumer and Biblical Stewardship is a ministry that was started in the early 1980's strictly as a means of sharing his abilities with churches and Christians in need of his expertise.

For more information check out the website that he has authored at www.biblicalstewardship.com