For years I have planted a few tomatoes. This year I outdid myself. At the urging of my daughter who loves fresh vegetables, I set out eight plants. And guess what? I am picking tomatoes on a daily basis.

Last year I didn’t have any. It didn’t matter how many times I went out to the garden, there was never a tomato. The whole year passed and I didn’t get one. The problem wasn’t disease—no sign of that. Nor did the rabbits, squirrels, or birds get them (though they have often done that in the past). It finally dawned on me that I didn’t have any tomatoes last year because I didn’t plant any.

Now this is a parable for those of us in the church who are concerned about the lack of conversions to Christ. In the first century the Lord added to the church on a daily basis those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). Why not today?

Rather than fault God for a paltry harvest, it might be well to ask ourselves if we have been sowing the seed? If we refuse to plant there will be no harvest. It’s as simple as that. We sit around expecting a million dollar return on a five cent investment, and complain when it doesn’t happen.

As best as I can tell, those early Christians shared the Gospel publicly and from house to house on a daily basis. It makes me wonder if perhaps that wasn’t part of the key to their success. “Lead me to some soul today; O teach me, Lord just what to say.” - John Gipson (submitted by Weyland Burton)