E Blast
November 11, 2016
The Parable of the Sower and Living a Life of Generosity in God
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And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as he
sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on
rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no
depth of soil.6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they
withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked
them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty,
some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!”
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“Hear then the parable of the sower. 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does
not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what
was sown on the path. 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the
word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet such a person has no root, but endures only for
a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person
immediately falls away. 22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the
word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields
nothing. 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and
understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty,
and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13: 3-9, 18-23)
The parable of the sower is one of the best known parables of Jesus. It is particularly
appropriate as we approach Stewardship Sunday on November 13th. Our stewardship theme
this year is Journey of Generosity and two small groups have been discussing Generosity using a
four week devotional guide. The devotional explored four different paths that lead to a life of
generosity: transformation, freedom, trust and life. Participants have read stories of individual
generosity and have been encouraged to share their own stories of how they have been
generous towards others as well as stories of how others have been generous towards them.
This week I am reflecting on the parable of the sower and invite you to assess your own journey
of generosity as we prepare to offer our time, talent and treasure for the mission of the
Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew for the coming year. As you read the sections
of the parable above, I invite you to sit with each section and rest in God’s light and love as you
ponder where you currently find yourself in regards to being generous. I hope you will also
open your heart to God’s prompting to continue to grow in this life of generosity.
In the first paragraph, Jesus begins by describing the three types of soil which a farmer or sower
encounters when planting the annual harvest. The sower does not control where the seed
lands and so some fall on the path, other seed fell on rocky ground, some fell among thorns and
finally some fell on good soil. In each instance Jesus tells us what happens to the seed once it
falls where it does. It does not surprise us that in the first three examples, the seed has little
chance of bearing any fruit because of the conditions that are present. The seeds on the path
were exposed and eaten quickly by birds; the seeds that fell on rocky ground had little soil to
support growth and so “withered away”; and the seeds that fell in the thorns were choked by
weeds. Finally the seeds that fell on the good soil began to produce generously.
Jesus unpacks the meaning of the parable in the second paragraph and in each instance we
might be able to identify with each interpretation. The seed is the Word of God and so the
seed that falls on the path and eaten by birds is an example of how the Word of God enters us
but is not able to take root in the heart because the evil one has snatched it away. The seed
that falls on rocky ground exemplifies times when we are excited to hear the word of God and
we decide to follow the word of God for our lives but find that this excitement quickly
disappears when we experience any kind of hardship or disappointment in our lives. The third
interpretation of the seed that falls among thorns is the one I can identify with the most. That
is when I read and pray the scriptures daily and I am open to grow in love and knowledge of
God. But, if I am anxious or worried about my earthly possessions then the Word of God - that
one day was so intimate - feels very distant. The seed that falls on rich soil that produces
beyond what we imagine is when we hear the Word of God, understands it and live by it.
Each level of soil represents different levels of what it means to be generous. I imagine that we
all strive to be as generous as described in the rich soil. That is when our hearts are open to
listen and follow where God leads us. We empty ourselves of all the obstacles that get in the
way so that we might live each day rich in God and practice being generous in our community,
our Church, ourselves and with God.
Generosity does not happen once a year in November; but is a life long journey for us to be
practitioners of Generosity. Being Generous does not end when you complete your pledge
commitment of time, talent and treasure. It is only the beginning. This year, the stewardship
committee agreed to a stretch goal of $500,000 to help fund the mission of the Episcopal
Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew. I know that together each one of us can reach this goal
so that we can continue to be a parish of generosity and hope in the community of Wilmington.
Thank you for being generous to one another and to this community of faith. I ask you to
prayerfully consider what God is calling and inviting you to give of your gifts for next year. I also
remind you to make sure that your financial pledge for this year is up to date. The vestry
thanks you as well. If your circumstances have changed for any reason, please do not hesitate
to reach out to me or a member of the vestry so we might listen and pray as to how all of us
might contribute to the life of this special parish.
Peace,
Fr. David