LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST
Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Author and Giver of Life. Welcome once again as we study the Word of God — the lamp to our feet and the light to our path (Psalm 119:105, NKJV).
Have you ever wondered why God allows wicked people to prosper, even though they openly defy His name? Why does He permit evil to flourish in a world that belongs to Him? The Lord Jesus Himself gave us the answer through one of His parables:
Matthew 13:24–30 (KJV) 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 13:24–30 (KJV)
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Pay close attention to verse 30 — “Let both grow together until the harvest.”
This reveals a deep mystery in God’s providence. God allows both the righteous (the wheat) and the wicked (the tares) to exist side by side in the same world — in the same nations, workplaces, and even within the visible church — until the appointed time of judgment.
This coexistence is not a sign of God’s indifference, but of His patience and justice. The Apostle Peter affirms this:
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
In other words, God’s delay in judgment is not approval of sin, but mercy extended toward repentance. The “tares” are given time — not to remain wicked — but to turn to righteousness before the harvest (the final judgment).
We often wonder why the ungodly seem to flourish — why the unjust grow wealthy while the righteous suffer. Yet Scripture shows that this is only temporary prosperity, not eternal blessing.
King David expressed this same struggle in
Psalm 73:2–5, 17–19 (NIV): But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong…till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
Psalm 73:2–5, 17–19 (NIV):
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong…till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
God allows the wicked to prosper so that His justice may be fully revealed in due time. Their flourishing is only to make their destruction evident, as David later wrote:
Psalm 92:7 (NKJV) When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever.
Psalm 92:7 (NKJV)
When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever.
Solomon also confirmed this truth:
Proverbs 1:32 (NIV) For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
Proverbs 1:32 (NIV)
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
In these last days, the devil has deceived many into believing that material wealth equals divine favor. People measure spiritual maturity by the abundance of possessions, quoting
3 John 1:2: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
3 John 1:2:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
But this verse emphasizes spiritual prosperity first — “as your soul prospers.” Material success without holiness is meaningless. Jesus warned:
Luke 12:15 (NKJV) Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
Luke 12:15 (NKJV)
Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
Many of the world’s rich and powerful will find themselves condemned in eternity, while many of the poor who lived faithfully will inherit the kingdom of heaven (Luke 16:19–31).
Therefore, worldly success is not the true standard of godliness. God Himself said, “Let both grow together.” In other words, the righteous and the unrighteous will both receive rain, sunshine, and opportunities — but their eternal destinies will differ.
If prosperity is not the measure of being accepted by God, what is?
The unchanging standard of divine approval is holiness.
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Holiness means separation from sin, devotion to God, and conformity to His character through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said:
Matthew 5:8 (NKJV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Without holiness, no one will inherit eternal life — not the wealthy, not the religious, not even the charitable — for righteousness is not earned by deeds but through faith that produces obedience and purity.
This is not the time to pursue worldly gain, but to pursue holiness and intimacy with God. Sin is what eternally separates man from His presence. The Apostle Paul warned:
Galatians 5:19–21 (KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19–21 (KJV)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Lord is calling His people to be like the wheat — rooted, fruitful, and faithful — even while growing among the tares. The harvest is coming soon, when the angels will separate the righteous from the wicked (see Matthew 13:39–43).
Let us therefore not envy the wicked nor measure our lives by the standards of this world. Our reward is not found in temporary prosperity but in eternal life with Christ.
Romans 2:6–7 (NKJV) God “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.
Romans 2:6–7 (NKJV)
God “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.
Let us seek the holiness that prepares us for the harvest, that we may be gathered into the Master’s barn — His eternal kingdom.
Maranatha! The Lord is coming soon.
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