Genesis 2:5 states “And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.” Notice the words, “of the field” and “grew” in the text. Every plant of the field before it was in the earth and every herb of the field before it grew“. Why is it important to notice these words?
Jesus used these same words “of the field” and “grow“, when he was encouraging his followers to live by faith seeking God’s kingdom first. He said, consider the lilies of the field and the ephemeral grass of the field which don’t toil and yet grow (Matthew 6:28, 30).
Points to ponder:
The world we live in teaches us that growth comes from work. Those who work hard get the increase. While I don’t discount the importance and the need to work, it is important to recognize that blessings come from the LORD God and not our work (or for that matter hard work/toil). It is important for us to work but we need not worry about our work. Interestingly immediately before and after talking about seeking God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), Jesus talks about being not captive to worry (Matthew 6:25,34).
Those who are of the field (of God) need not worry for all the things that are needed for the sustenance and increase of life (eat, drink, and clothes) shall be added unto them. They shall live by faith for those who are justified (made righteous through the blood of Jesus for having believed in Jesus) shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).
Since the harvest (of the field) is plentiful and the workers are few, we ought to work for God in his field. Yet we must recognize that though we work for God, in his field, by being his ambassadors, witnesses and spokespersons, it is God, Only God, who gives the increase, of his field/kingdom (1 Corinthians 3:7). Such growth is not of man’s doing but of God and hence not natural but supernatural.
Let us live by faith (in action) so God can give the supernatural growth (increase) of his field (kingdom).
Genesis 2:5 (KJV)
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
Matthew 6:28-33 (KJV)
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
