Read: Mark 4:1–9

A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Mark 4:3–4

Jesus told a story of a farmer who scattered seed on the ground. The seed fell on the hardened path, on the rocky ground, and among the thorns. Most of the seed failed to grow, but some seed fell on “good soil,” and that seed increased thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold! If we follow Jesus’ example, we might choose to toss our love out into the world, and to scatter the seeds of blessing everywhere. Spread good works throughout our families, our communities, and our world—and then wait and see what takes root.

Jesus encourages this kind of diversification because you just don’t know where your next good friend will come from. You don’t know how a kind word to a self-centered teenager today can transform their life years from now. You just don’t know how the faithful ministry of one person can unlock God’s eternal blessing in the world. After all, who would have thought that an obscure Nazarene prophet who was killed after three years of ministry could change the world? Jesus teaches us that abundant blessing comes from diversification. Invest yourself everywhere you can, and you will find you win more than you lose. And when you win, you will win big—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold!

With whom, or where, do you need to sow some love, care, and generosity this week?

Lord, I do not think of investing myself as much as I think of investing my money. As I open the stock index this week, as I do strategic planning in my workplace, as I debate what to do with my time, encourage me to think about how I can invest myself, my love, and my care broadly so that they take root and grow in the world and in the lives of those closest to me. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.