Everyone loves the spring. After the sun's warming rays have melted the snow, bringing out the tulips and other early flowers, and after the winds have dried the ground sufficiently to work it, the plows and spades are eagerly readied to prepare the ground for planting. It is the "time to plant." If one wishes a good harvest, he must take advantage of the suitable time. Indifference and slothfulness, frivolity and laziness must be given no place. Love for spring—the sun, the seed and the soil, and desire for an abundant harvest stir one from every hindrance to the work of planting.

If this is so in the natural realm, how much more so it is in the spiritual. NOW is the ever-present time for the Christian to diligently plant. The Word of God is the Good Seed; the hearts of men are likened to the soil; the Son of God is as the sun whose warm rays produce life and fruitfulness.

Jesus says, "Go work TODAY in My vineyard" (Matt. 21:28). What a privilege it is to have anything at all to do with what He alone can produce—eternal blessing in souls! "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; … do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:2,5).

HOW TO PLANT: "He that goeth forth and WEEPETH, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6). True love and compassion must accompany any planting if it is to be in the spirit and power of the Master Himself and thus reach the hearts of men. Also, "He that soweth BOUNTIFULLY shall reap also bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6). To the degree that we realize the abundant grace bestowed on us, just so will be the liberality of our planting. This Scripture has reference to the practical, liberal giving of our means which enables much Seed (in the printed page and other types of gospel work, for example), to be scattered far and wide. We'll be so thankful we didn't "skimp" in our sowing when we have the harvest revealed to us by the One who gave His all for us!

WHEN TO PLANT: "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good" (Eccl. 11:6). Not knowing what a day may bring forth, nor whether we shall reach the end of a day begun, can we do any less than to be found "ALWAYS ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58)? We must never forget that "Now is the accepted time" to fulfill the ministry of His fellow-workmen (2 Corinthians 6:1,2).

WHY PLANT? Souls are starving spiritually all around us in this barren world. "He that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully" (Jer. 23:28). NOW is the "time to plant" using every available means at our disposal, setting our sights on the harvest!

In the words of another: "Brethren, what privilege to use this present life with its present good, in view of the coming harvest whose fruit shall eternally abide. May we not fritter away such privileges for the gratification of earth-born desires."