TOPIC: SOWING AND REAPING
v Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap
Sowing and reaping is a metaphor that uses the act of planting seeds (sowing) to represent one’s actions and the results of those actions (reaping).
The phrase “you reap what you sow” is frequently referenced throughout the Bible, underscoring the principle that every action has consequences.
Gal 6:7-10(NKJV)7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
One sows and another reaps. God seeds of blessing must be sown in order to be reaped.
John 4:36-38(NKJV)6 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true:’One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
When we, as Christians join in the labour of others, no one should be pursuing their selfish interests but rather what glorifies God and builds His.
No one should be idle; everyone must play their part.
You can’t use the devil’s tools to achieve a godly harvest.
The Lord expects you to use the seed of righteousness to harvest righteousness.
That is no relationship between light and darkness
Everyone’s actions, which are seeds, will be judged: your actions, behavior, attitude, motive, and inactions are all seeds.
This principle applies universally – no one is free.
The world is a vast garden governed by the principles of sowing and reaping.
The Lord Jesus says “those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.”
Matt 26:51-52 (TLB)51 One of the men with Jesus pulled out a sword and slashed off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. 52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those using swords will get killed.
If you desire a bountiful harvest in your life, you must start planting good seeds.
I learned a lesson at my house in America. My grass grew, and I kept weeding, but it was overwhelming. One day, my American friend visited and went to the store, bought a bag of good grass seed, and told me to continue to plant good grass and he assured me that the more good grass I planted, the more the bad grass would disappear.
What spiritual lesson can you learn from this, according to the world God created?
Sowing good to overcome evil is the law of grace as opposed to the principle of “tooth for tooth.
When you plant, plant generously and not sparingly.
2 Cor 9:6-7(KJV)6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Cor 9:6-7(NLT)6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
The measure you give will be the measure you get back. This is a natural and spiritual principle.
Luke 6:38.(kJV)38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
If you show compassion, you will reap compassion, if you sow love, you will reap love, if you forgive, you will be forgiven. The way you judge others will be the way you are judged. If you wish people well, people will wish you well.
Matt 7:1-2(MSG)Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults — unless, of course, you want the same treatment. 2 That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.
Matt 7:1-2 (AMP)1 DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.
Many people want to reap where they did not sow. They know how to receive but not how to give.
Matt 7:12(NIV)2 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Do you realize that in times of trouble, the Lord will look to see if you have stored up good seeds in the bank.
Many people are healed and delivered when God remembers their good deeds such as Mordecai, Hezekiah.
When you sow, you are banking into heaven as illustrated by the story of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man.
Luke 16:19-26 (NLT)19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
Rewards are given according to what you sow.
Luke 7:2-5(NLT)2 At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. 3 When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. 4 So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, 5 “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.”
Acts 10:1-5(NLT)In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said.4 Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!
By sowing for the blessing of others in the church, you create a memorial. one generation sows and another generation reaps.
John 4:36-38 NLT 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. 38 I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”
2 Cor 9:6-15 NLT 6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
Your life is like a mustard seed planted on good ground, blessing every creature that comes near.
Matt 13:31-32(NLT)31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
Jesus sacrificed His life as a seed so that we could be saved. 1 John 2:2(NLT)He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
The essence of ministry is to sow our lives as seeds for the blessing of others.
Everything you have must not be consumed solely by yourself.
Sowing and reaping is about living for others.
To find joy in your old age, you must be diligent and consistent in your efforts, morning and afternoon, to transform the world for God to build His kingdom.
