He told them another parable: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches". Matthew 13:31-32
To flourish means to multiply. Therefore, true flourishing lies in understanding God’s multiplication code. Let’s first define the terms: Multiplication and Code. Multiplication is accelerated increase, or exponential growth.
A code, on the other hand, is a set of rules that govern an atmosphere, a place, or a group of people. Thus, we can say a Multiplication Code, is a set of laws or rules that govern accelerated increase and exponential growth.
There are several codes that we can activate to trigger multiplication in our lives. Today we will focus on the primary code for multiplication which is the principle of sowing and reaping. As we read in John 12:24: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit”.
If the principle of sowing and reaping is the primary code for multiplication in God’s Kingdom, then it follows that if you want to experience multiplication in any area of your life, you require a seed. A seed is a miniature version of a harvest. It represents the potential of something significant.
All our resources are seeds—time, dreams, desires, money, skills or abilities. They may appear insignificant at times, but they carry value. The limitation of the seed is not in the size of the seed, but in the refusal or unwillingness to deploy the seed. We must sow in faith and every seed deployed appropriately will yield a harvest. And while it may seem that sowing a seed means you have lost something; you are not losing at all. Instead, you are investing in your future.
A seed is like a down-payment on a house. You don’t own the house yet, but that initial investment secures your claim to the house, beginning the process for full ownership eventually. Similarly, to unlock God’s multiplication, you must plant the seed first. You take the leap of faith and wait for God to do His thing. The harvest is not your own responsibility, your part is to plant your seed and God responds with growth, and multiplication.
There are two basic ways of operating in this primary code, “Like for like” and “Like for another”.
With like for like, you reap the multiplied version of the seed sown, or you get a harvest that corresponds with the seed you planted. For example, when the little boy offered his five loaves and two fishes at the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 4:17-19), the boy brought what he had to Jesus, and Jesus multiplied it.
However, with “Like for another” you get a harvest that differs from your seed. For example, the Philippian Church in Philippians 4:18-19 sent Paul some money and gifts. Paul in turn responded by saying it was an aroma to God and that God would meet all their needs. So, for those who had non-monetary needs—such as wisdom, healing or some other specific needs, their harvest was not gifts or money; but it was a harvest of those needs being met.
Sowing and reaping is a spiritual law that will work for anyone who knows how to apply this code.
A seed sown no matter how small can lead to increase and multiplication. It can mature into magnificent blessings that only the hand of God can provide. You don’t need to wait until everything lines up before taking steps of faith. You can activate the primary code, because its principle is universal and applicable.
Are there areas in your life that don’t look like you want them to—areas where you not flourishing? Take your seed and give it over to God. Remember without a seed there can be no harvest, so take a step of faith today, and watch God amaze you, and multiply His goodness on your seed.
Song of Worship
Bringing In The Sheaves By Knowles Shaw
Father, give me the grace to sow wisely and may the bountiful harvest manifest, and I flourish fully in You in the name of Jesus. Amen