God is the One who gives the increase to the crop in His field, providing the ministry and resources needed to bring His sons and daughters to maturity. Even though He supplies water, nutrients, sunlight, and other essentials for growth, the plant must absorb and use these resources to maintain itself and to grow. In the illustration, the seed, activated by water, puts out roots and a shoot, and continued use of those resources enables it to gain height, develop a head, display flowers, and eventually produce fruit. If the seeds never responded to His blessings, not one sprout would break the soil's surface. Similarly, God provides the knowledge, environment, energy, gifts, and whatever else is needed for spiritual growth, but each individual must consistently respond to His providence to bring about growth. A plant that does not respond well to what God supplies withers and dies, just as an improperly responsive individual fails to grow. God has planted us in His field, seeking spiritual growth to harvest us for His Kingdom.

God plants each of His people with purpose, as a tree by rivers of water, nourishing and sustaining them with His Holy Spirit. He places each where He desires, directing their lives to bear fruit in due season. Unlike a tree that fails to produce and is cut down, those divinely planted and watered bring forth good works as intended by God. Their leaves do not wither, reflecting growth, productivity, and life through the process He establishes. Ultimately, such a person prospers spiritually, achieving righteousness and eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

In the process of spiritual growth, the act of planting and watering mirrors the development of a seed into a mature plant. A man scatters seed on the ground and continues with his daily tasks, unaware of the mysterious ways in which growth occurs. He observes the seed sprout and develop over time, but the true work is done by God, who provides the necessary resources like light, warmth, and water behind the scenes. The sower's role is to plant the seed—whether through a spoken word, a written piece, or a sermon—but it is God who nurtures and brings forth the sprout, guiding it toward maturity. This growth is not just about the initial planting; it requires ongoing cultivation. God supplies the environment and energy needed, yet the plant must respond by taking in these provisions, putting out roots, growing upward, and eventually producing fruit. Similarly, individuals must actively engage with what God provides, responding to His efforts to foster spiritual maturity. Without this response, there is no growth, and the plant—or person—risks withering. God oversees this entire process with the goal of a ripened harvest, ensuring each plant in His field has the opportunity to produce the right fruit. The ministry aids in this cultivation as God's servants, helping to nurture the growth, but ultimately, it is God who gives the increase to His plants in His field.