Sowing and Reaping
Sowing and Reaping
God’s plan for mankind was put in place before the foundation of the world. Initially, He chose to show His love and provision and mercy and faithfulness to mankind thru the nation Israel, speaking to them thru the prophets and then, at the chosen time, to send his son Jesus to both speak and demonstrate his love, mercy and grace to all the nations and peoples of the earth.
Hebrews1:1-3 says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom He also made the universe.
When his mission was accomplished on earth, Jesus laid His life down for the sins of the world, said His work is finished, and offered an invitation to all mankind to come to him, believe in him, surrender to him, and receive eternal life as His free gift.
One of the last things he shared with his disciples before he left earth to take his seat at the right hand of the father, He promised them that he would not leave them alone. He would send His spirit to live within them and in all believers for all time. He said His spirit would be just like him. His Spirit would be, as Paul said, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col. 1:27. His Spirit would teach us, comfort us, guide us, empower us, and as we yield more and more to His Spirit, His words would become our words, His thoughts our thoughts, His heart our heart, His love our love. That is why the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that when we receive Christ, not only are our sins forgiven, but we become a new creation, old things have passed away all things have become new. The picture I have in my mind is the parable of the prodigal son, the son has returned home soiled, defeated, rejected, and destitute. The Father hugs him, forgives him, and rejoices in his return. He puts his arms around him and says I will never leave you or forsake you. Let’s enjoy the kingdom of God together as I teach you wonderful truths about love and life and relationships.
As we journey through life as a believer, Jesus warned that our enemy, the devil, would try every day to steal our joy and peace and hope, destroy our relationships our families and our successes, and kill our faith and passion. But He reminded us that He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. God wants to bless us. He doesn’t want us to be anxious or fearful or stressed or depressed or confused. He wants us to be full of faith and hope and courage and direction and joy and peace and love.
One of the laws God put in place in creation was sowing and reaping. This is as consistent as the law of gravity. It is eternal, never changing.
Galations 6:7 says Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from their flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people.
The law of sowing and reaping applies to many things. Giving money or time or talents to causes and people God puts on our heart. It applies to sowing kindness or love or encouragement or comfort or hope. It applies to forgiving folks who have hurt us or betrayed us or disappointed us.
In Matt 13 Jesus told the parable of the sower and the seed. To emphasize how important this principle of sowing and reaping is Jesus said, if you don’t understand this parable you won’t understand any parable. When you sow seed in good soil it will produce a crop 30, 60 or 100 times what was sown. Whoever has ears let him hear! The disciples then asked, why do you speak in parables? Jesus said, Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you but not to them. Whoever has, will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have even what they have will be taken away from them.
Luke 6:38 says Give and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Paul said in 2 Cor 9:6-11. Remember this; Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
In Matt 25:21 Jesus told the parable of the talents. The Master gave talents to three servants and then went away for a season. Two sowed those “seeds” and one hid it. When the master returned, to the two who sowed their seed he said. “Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”
Think about all the blessings and gifts that God has freely given us. Forgiveness of our many many sins. He has loved us and accepted us as His children with all our faults and shame. He has showered us with His mercy and grace. He has promised to never give up on us, to always take care of us and comfort us, to give us a future and a hope. He has given us families and friendships and provision and health. And He has told us as He told the disciples, “FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED, NOW FREELY GIVE.” As much as we have received from God, how could we not in turn freely give to those people God has put in our lives. Paul said It’s the love of Christ that compels us. 2 Cor. 12:14. And as we sow those seeds in lives around us, fruit is produced 30, 60, and 100 fold.
One of the hardest things to sow sometimes is forgiveness. Our flesh does not want to forgive. At the same time, the devil tells us that they don’t deserve it, they haven’t even asked for it, they will do it again. And we are hurt, mad, disappointed, broken. But Psalm 126:5 says those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Forgiveness is difficult at times but God says, “Freely you have received my forgiveness, now freely give it to others.” It is not an option. And the fruit that will be produced and the joy that we will reap will be abundant.
All throughout scripture God has told us about what we reap when we sow seeds of love and grace and mercy. Proverbs 22:11 says One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. Jesus said in Matthew 5 Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy. And Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. And Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
At the last supper, Jesus said, “a new command I give you, that you love one another even as I have loved you. By this they will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another. He was saying that He has freely given His love to us, now He expects us to sow that love in one another.
Sowing and Reaping is and always has been a law of multiplication. And we are on the beneficial end of the deal. God has freely sown, poured out, His goodness on us. His forgiveness, His love, His acceptance, His kindness. And He tells us to sow it into the lives of those around us. The harvest we reap is abundant and eternal.
Jack Bobo