THE KEY TO SPIRITUAL PRODUCTIVITY

LUKE 8:11-15 NKJ 
11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.  

This is one of the most important parables from Jesus.  This parable shows us all how to be more productive on the earth in glorifying God and displaying the realities of His kingdom.   

Because we could spend an immense amount of time on these verses, I will summarize.   

God's word is seed, spiritual seed.  And as is the nature of all seeds it produces in the right environment.   

If we do not receive God's word, we will not see the intended results.  This is the wayside ground; another word for this ground is hard.   

If we receive God's word by believing it and begin to put it into practice, we will start to see results.  But we have to stay with our commitment of faith and not give in to pressures, problems, offenses and then quit.  This is the rocky ground which indicates lack of depth of commitment.   

If we receive God's word, believe it, and begin to act on it, we are on the right track.  But if we lose focus and get caught up in the stuff, cares, worries, materialism, and living for the pleasure of this life, then God's word gets choked out, and we are not productive.  Another word is cluttered, distracted.  That's two words, but you get the point. 

The productive ground are the ones who hear, receive it (by believing), stay with it during tough times, and stayed focused.  They keep doing what God's word instructs despite the challenges that this world presents.  Sound easy?  It's not. But it is doable.   

APPLICATION 

What kind of ground are you?  It's a great question and may have multiple answers.  You may be really productive in some areas like giving and rocky in other areas, say prayer or being grateful.   

Here's the good news.  You are in control of the ground of your heart, and you can change and become good ground for God's Kingdom.   

PRAYER 

Dear Father, please reveal to me the condition of the ground of my heart.  I desire to be more productive for Your Kingdom.