Seed for the Sower

"White Lightning" Iris

He who sows generously that blessings may come to someone will also reap generously and with blessings. And God Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your resources for sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and your generosity as it is administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:6b,10,11)

How do we know when that which we have in our hand is seed, and when is it bread for our provision (since God provides seed for the sower AND bread for eating)?

If what is in your hand is sufficient for your need then that is what it is for. If what is in your hand is not enough to meet your need... it is seed! This is radical thinking but I have found it works. Every time.

Windows of Hope

The Beach at Torremolino - Edward Seago (painting available for sale from The Taylor Gallery in London)

Edward Seago (1910-1974) was one of England’s finest landscape artists of the 20th Century. His ability to portray magnificent clouds in endless variations of atmosphere and color was one of the hallmarks of Seago's finest masterpieces.

“Ill health caused Seago to spend much of his childhood in bed and he grew to accept these bouts of sickness as an ordinary event. However, they were probably the main factor in moulding his life. The heart defect which denied him ordinary boyhood activities, and kept him on his back for long periods, meant that he had to overcome boredom, and this he did by painting. Also, unlike other boys of his own age who were confined to a schoolroom, Seago was able to stay out of doors exposed to the delights of the ever changing skies above him. These skies provided him with a constant source of interest and challenge. The intense knowledge gained as he sketched the unending cloud formations of Norfolk, England from his garden chair made him a true artist. What had begun as a childhood diversion ended as a life’s work. It is possible, that had he not had a permanent heart problem, Seago might never have become an artist, but might have turned to a more active, strenuous profession.” (Quote from the book ‘Edward Seago: The Vintage Years’ by Ron Ranson).

This idea is repeated in Hosea 2:14-15 “I will make the Valley of Achor or Troubling to be for her a door of hope and expectation”. Mike Murdock says it this way:

• The problem closest to you is your door out of trouble
• Something you already have can create anything else you will ever want
• Something in your hand can create anything you want in your future.

Nothing can take God by surprise. He has surveyed our entire life and the preparations are complete. When He instructed Moses to take His people out of Israel, he said to Moses “What is in your hand”. The seed for a thing is in itself. (Genesis 1:11). God has already provided every resource we need to fulfil our purpose and destiny. Every provision has been made for the appointed task. We just need to reach out and access it. Just as Edward Seago did. He painted. His paintings are considered investment art and reach extremely high prices to this day, decades after he has passed on.