Title
Rich Soil
Scripture
These are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit.
(Mark 4:20)
Devotional
The difference between rich and poor soil is its ability to receive seed and bear fruit. Here, the Lord clearly compares people to soil. As there are three factors to healthy soil, there are three factors to healthy believers. First, we have to receive the word just as the ground must receive the seed. Receiving requires hearing, and hearing requires listening. Secondly, as the soil must accept the seed, we must accept the Word of the Lord. The Word comes in two ways, written and spoken. It takes both. Thirdly, as the soil must feed and nurture the seed, we must feed and nurture the Word. This we do by applying it to our lives. We are not only hearers, but also doers of it. Anyone can be good soil. It may take a little cultivating through the plow of discipline to bear good fruit. Nevertheless the results will be more than worth it.