One late spring evening, near sunset, the crickets and jar flies were singing. Their sound was so loud. I got up from my bed to go close the window where the most sound was coming from. There I looked out the window of Grandpa's old farm house. It was the window right beside the old stone fireplace. I could just barley see the outline of Grandpa as he was slumped over near the ground. He was looking under a big thorny bush that was sitting at the left front of the smoke shed. The place where Grandpa smoked all his meats.
Looking closer, I saw Grandpa with a shovel in his hand. I thought, why is he out there digging at this time, almost plum dark? In a few minutes, Grandpa came back into the house. I told him I was watching him dig under the thorny bush and wondered why, especially this time of night.
Grandpa said, “Well, many years ago I had a little money in the bank. We had a good crop that year. We were able to open a bank account. Grandma and me thought it be good to get some interest off our little amount of money. Then the worst happen. The bank closed. We lost all our money. So I decided to put my money in a safe place. I put it all in glass jars and buried them in the ground for safe keeping.
Matthew 6-19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Last Sunday, at the old cornfield church, the preacher asked us, “Do you know where your blessing are planted?” I got to thinking. Me and my old mule in the corn field. we talked to Jesus. I told him how and why I had planted my little money in the ground. He spoke to me and I realized that my blessings were not in a glass jar in the ground. My blessings rose from the grave and the ground. I realized from whom our daily blessing came.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Grandpa said, “I once thought my jar money would help me in tomorrow needs. Then I realized that jar money was just in a jar. Planted in the ground. Could not have any roots, so it could not grow. It was more of a grave rather than a seed planted. One speaks as if the things of tomorrow would solve a problem. I rather speak of today."
Matthew 6:.34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
"Someday, some how, some way, I knew my jar money had to be dug up to be a blessing. That is when I decided to take it back out of the ground," Grandpa said. “Someday is today. My final day of digging up the jar money. My last jar. I was out there digging up my jar money so I could put it on the good things. I called it my seed money. I planted it in good things. I gave my tithes to Him. I gave some to help neighbors. I bought better seeds. The crops became so bountiful."
Grandpa said, "Not only did the crops grow better, but I felt like in digging up the jar money, I also dug myself out of a hole. You see, while I had dug a grave for my money, I too had dug myself a grave in doubt, miss-trust and fear of banks and people. After digging the money jar out of the grave, I planted it in good things. It was like I was not only going to do something new with my little money, but I felt like I dug myself out of the ground too. I was going to plant anew my effort to share love and trust in life. To trust and not fear tomorrow. For today the Scriptures state that we are to set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth We are to put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication We are to show mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and long suffering. We are to forgive one another. And above all these things show charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."
James 4:14 - Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Psalm 135:7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Within the storm, there exist these unique parts, but yet a oneness of a storm. Each part is important in its rank and value. However, each part is different. So are we as humans, all genetically different, striving for importance in rank and purpose, yet called into one body.
In what should matter, we strive for unity. Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! A oneness striving towards harmony, peace and brotherly love without regard to individuals representing more than one national origin, color, religion, socioeconomic stratum, etc.
Therefore, not Some way, but only one way. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me
Psalm 49:2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together. Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
We in all things should promote one another to achieve each others greatest potential,. Foremost the deliverance from the power and effects of sin, thru Christ Jesus. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Then through this belief and trust in God and love thru Christ Jesus we then can bind the way of division into a house of liberty.
Galatians 5:13 - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
"Some day, somehow, some way. My jar money was no more. I re-opened a new bank account that had a promise of protection for my money. I opened my heart to Jesus with His promise."
2 Peter 3-13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
The empty jars were now filled with the goodness of the harvest. My soul was now filled with His Word and I now hold a greater Love for my Jesus and my fellowman.
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Charles Finney
ccfinney@yahoo.com