Die to Self, Live to Give — April 4 [Description]Brief Overview of the Passage:This passage draws powerful parallels between nature’s cycle of seed-sowing and the spiritual life. Just as seeds multiply when planted, our actions—good or bad—multiply in the lives they influence. Acts of kindness, generosity, or sacrifice reproduce blessings, while harmful attitudes like envy or malice spread damage. Giving freely, both spiritually and materially, results in abundance, not lack. This principle finds its ultimate meaning in Christ, who gave His life like a seed planted in the ground, bringing a harvest of redemption. We, too, are called to “die to self” to truly live and bear fruit for God. The passage also emphasizes hands-on education: connecting spiritual truths to working the soil can teach young people discipline, diligence, and faith. The Divine Sower—the Creator—promises that our efforts, if rooted in Him, will lead to eternal life.

Spirit of Prophecy Reading

Christ’s Object Lessons pp.85-89:365D 94.1

As the seed sown produces a harvest, and this in turn is sown, the harvest is multiplied. In our relation to others, this law holds true. Every act, every word, is a seed that will bear fruit. Every deed of thoughtful kindness, of obedience, or of self-denial, will reproduce itself in others, and through them in still others. So every act of envy, malice, or dissension is a seed that will spring up in a “root of bitterness” (Hebrews 12:15), whereby many shall be defiled. And how much larger number will the “many” poison. Thus the sowing of good and evil goes on for time and for eternity.365D 94.2

*****365D 94.3

Liberality both in spiritual and in temporal things is taught in the lesson of seed sowing. The Lord says, “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” Isaiah 32:20. “This I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6. To sow beside all waters means a continual imparting of God’s gifts. It means giving wherever the cause of God or the needs of humanity demand our aid. This will not tend to poverty. “He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” The sower multiplies his seed by casting it away. So it is with those who are faithful in distributing God’s gifts. By imparting they increase their blessings. God has promised them a sufficiency that they may continue to give. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” Luke 6:38.365D 94.4

He who causes the seed to spring up, who tends it day and night, who gives it power to develop, is the Author of our being, the King of heaven, and He exercises still greater care and interest in behalf of His children. While the human sower is planting the seed to sustain our earthly life, the Divine Sower will plant in the soul the seed that will bring forth fruit unto life everlasting.365D 94.5