“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
(Isaiah 55:10-11)
When God gives, an appropriate response is to honour God by being a good steward over what He has given. A wonderful aspect of that stewardship is cultivating what is given.
I often imagine God as the first sculptor. Crafting, forming and shaping the first human and then breathing into Him so he could be a living being. Not just finishing there but going on to provide the right environment and tasks to enable the human to develop and realise all there was to realise in bearing the image of God.
Additionally, the Bible is rich in agricultural metaphors. God is the Gardener, and we are both the soil and stewards of His seed. But what does it truly mean to cultivate what God gives us?
The very act of cultivation—preparing soil, planting, watering, weeding, protecting, harvesting—is woven throughout scripture. Genesis 2:15 sets the tone: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Cultivation meant more than general stewardship; it required intentional effort, watchful care, and ongoing nurture.
To cultivate what God gives isn’t just about avoiding waste—it’s about seeking spiritual increase. Paul writes, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6, NKJV). We are called to participate in God’s work. Passivity is not an option; even “waiting on God” involves preparation, self-examination, and action. The biblical model demands our partnership—working alongside God for His harvest in us and through us.
In the digital age, cultivation often means resisting distraction, choosing depth over breadth, and nurturing what matters. Think about:
- Time: Are we intentionally spending time with God—Bible study, prayer, worship—so faith can take root and flourish?
- Relationships: Are we nurturing Christlike love in our circles, encouraging and discipling others?
- Talents and Resources: Do we invest our gifts—teaching, generosity, hospitality—for kingdom impact, not just personal gain?
- Character: Are we tending to the inner garden: rooting out weeds of bitterness, pride, and fear; sowing seeds of compassion, humility, and courage?
Cultivation in today’s life means making room for what is good and Godly, allowing Him to use our “fields” for His glory.
True cultivation costs us comfort and demands commitment. Jesus said, “Abide in me…you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). Fruitfulness is impossible without abiding—in His Word, community, and presence. God plants the seed, but we cultivate the environment.
What if every Christian saw daily life as spiritual soil—workplaces, homes, choices, conversations—all open for God’s seed to grow? What if we recognised our unique gifts as spiritual fields, waiting for diligent cultivation?
Don’t just hold the seed. Plant it. Tend it. Watch God bring the harvest.
What could you cultivate today that would produce lasting fruit for Christ and those around you?
And as we honour God in being good stewards, who apply themselves diligently in cultivating the gift, there is a vigilance to guard that which has been entrusted to us, speaking of which …
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
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