If there is a season in my life wherein I was scraping the bottom of the barrel, that time would be during the Asian Financial Crisis a little bit over 10 years ago. I will never forget how hard it was during those days circa 1998. But more than remembering the hard times, I am more inclined to highlight God's faithfulness in providing for the daily needs.
Set back in the millions, the experience was truly an ordeal. I was living in Bacolod then, newly married and running the family business which wasn't in the best of shape given the high overhead cost of labor. One day, a dear friend, Adrian Campos asked me to stop by his place. At the end of my short visit to Adrian, he handed me five thousand pesos. He told me, "This is seed." . I fully understood what he meant with that statement as Adrian has a very deep understanding of the principles of seed, time, and harvest from the Bible. This understanding of the principles is the reason why in the past, Adrian has even given away a Ford F-150(!) and so many other items without any reluctance. His example even inspired me and my wife to give away our car before we moved from Bacolod to Manila.
Fast forward to yesterday afternoon. I met up with another friend from Bacolod who is now based in Manila too. I texted him a few days ago to tell him I wanted to meet up with him in order to give him something. Yesterday, I related to him that Asian Financial Crisis ordeal. He was very familiar with this as almost all of our friends in the village were weathering the same financial storms.
This time it was his turn to go through the doldrums. Handing over a check for ten thousand, I told him, "This is seed...five thousand is Adrian's seed, and five thousand is mine" . My friend quickly understood. He knew that as soon as he got out of this episode of momentary trials, he would pay it forward adding his five thousand worth of seed to the next person in need.
To my friend: Keep the seed going.
To my multiply friends reading this: Start planting seed too. It doesn't have to be in the same amounts mentioned above. The key is, as the Bible says, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (Prov. 11:34).
Today is a great day to plant seed.
This is a great story. I understand the seed principle as well. I used to worry about my car getting older. And not having a full time job, I was wondering how I would finance my next car. So my pastor friend pointed out that I've been bringing friends to and from our bible classes; consider that as seed, and pray. Some months after, my husband upgraded his car, and he passed on his car to me, and we sold my old car. I got a "new" car just like that. The point is even little things/acts like letting friends hitch with you can be seeds that grow.
ReplyDeleteFantastic story, I hope you don't mind if I link this wonderful story of yours.
ReplyDeleteyou are very much welcome to repost. hope this story truly inspires. ;-)
ReplyDeletewe will plant a seed ... to someone this week :-)
ReplyDeletethis story will appear at hlmcentral :-) keep on inspiring us my friend :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this story. I've been in tough situations too, where for some divine providence, gets resolved before problems escalated. This week lang... is a test, a revelation and blessing for me. I guess, your posting is just a reminder for me today, not to forget the small people who have worked with me hand in hand in my endeavors. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletethanks.. hmm, maybe we should make this an advocacy... keep it up
ReplyDeleteHi Lloyd. Thanks for sharing. I know a lot of people will benefit from this the minute they apply the principle. I have been "mastering" the art of giving, biblically, and there has many times that I have seen the fruit of giving. While you inspired me with this short story, I would like to also share my learnings on giving. There's this principle of "Sowing Up and Sowing Down." Wait for my blog.
ReplyDeletei look forward to your post Celle!
ReplyDelete:) God always provides as long as we do our share
ReplyDeletehugs
ReplyDeletegood story. nice to know that it still happens :)
ReplyDeletegreat loyd everyday is a great day to plant seed
ReplyDeleteGreat sharing as always! One thing I have discovered in this "planting seed of faith " thing: God's harvest is unending! I planted seeds of books years ago - in fact, i helped put up libraries for two Bible colleges in the provinces. Till today, when books' costs have spiraled prohibitively, I get boxes of books which I in turn give away. "As long as the earth endures... seedtime and harvest will never cease." Gen 8:22 (NIV)
ReplyDeletePao and I are recipients of that seed too...if you remember in one of our conversations and i broke the news about my plan to tie the knot...it was easy for you to give back to us the five thousand that was supposed to be given to you as your profit share. I must say i always have a hard start career-wise yet i hold on because i know God has placed me here... he is teaching me to trust in him more than myself; grow and mature more as i walk with him. It is so amazing that He uses people like you to be a blessing to me and my family. It is my commitment to share what I have for the Lord's kingdom and always give back what is His.
ReplyDeleteThank you for touching our hearts. God bless!
you're welcome mae. i pray that the seed i planted for your wedding will grow a hundredfold.
ReplyDeleteGod's harvest is really unending! A new post soon on that too.
ReplyDeleteseeds...that I have received and learned from you and continue to do so...it all started even when we both were non-believers...you lived it even then...thanks friend and I hope your birthday was a blast...
ReplyDeleteWOW! ive always believed in the principle of giving forward - but using time as the resource. but yours is also a great idea! yep, seed indeed! =D
ReplyDelete