Jesus parable on the soil types and the harvest they produce, heips us to understand that maturity and multiplication are related.

In this parable there are four soil types (Hard path, rocky ground, surrounded by thorns, and good soil) that correspond to four types of reception to the Word of God. The hard soil decribes those to whom the word is sown but stolen immediately after their hearing it.  Rocky ground describes those who hear with joy, but develop no roots and fall away in a time of testing.  Seed that falls among thorns describe those with preoccupied lives  (money, things, worries) who bear no fruit because the life is choked out.  Good soil describes the lives of those who hear with a humble heart and put the word into practice. 

Most peoples lives resemble one or more of the soil types.  Sometimes we are hard to a particular thing the Lord wants us to hear and every message in that area produces no fruit, because we are unable to hear and retain it.  Sometimes we do not put the word into practice and go deep so that when times of testing come we turn back, fall back or even fall away.  Many Christians are plagued by worries, wealth and stuff, so much so that they bear no fruit.

Getting to be good soil and staying there requires that we:  1. understand that it is the word of God that produces the potential for fruitfulness 2. stay humble and receptive 3. Pay attention to how we are hearing 4. Doing what it takes to truly hear and understand (go deep) 4. Put it into practice immediately and repetitively 5. Keep our selves de-cluttered from distractions such as worry, money, and the pursuit of things. 6. Persevere throught trials 7. Water and tend the word that is in us.  8. Be cooperative with God as he prunes us for more fruitfulness.