SOW ABUNDANTLY

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6

In the past couple of messages, I've written about the fact that a man reaps what he has sown.  As we think about the law of sowing and reaping, we should make sure we are sowing the right seed.

Not only is it important to sow the right seed, it is important to sow it often.  I think we'd all agree that you have a better chance to have a great harvest if you plant several acres of corn than you would if you planted just one hill of corn.  The more you plant, the more you will reap.

The more you read the Bible, the more the Bible changes you.  The more you help someone else, the better you feel within.  The more you share the Gospel, the greater the chances of seeing someone saved.  You see, the more you sow, the greater the chance that you'll have a great harvest.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he challenged them to be generous with their finances.  Notice what he wrote, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."  I am not a prosperity preacher.  I do not agree with the "health & wealth gospel" that some propagate.  However, I will state this.  God blesses those who give.  The more you give, the more He blesses.

The happiest people I know do not have much money, but they are generous.  Why are they so happy?  God blesses them.  The more they bless others, the more they find themselves being blessed.

Many Christians are stingy.  In fact, they are sinfully stingy.  They are cheating themselves out of the blessing of giving.  They are not only hurting others & the work of Christ through their stinginess, they are hurting themselves.

One of my favorite epistles is the book of Philippians.  In that tiny book of four chapters, the Apostle Paul often mentions words like "joy," and "rejoicing."  The book of Philippians is a joyous, victorious book.  Yet we also learn something about the Philippians from that epistle:  they were generous.  In fact, the book of Philippians was a "thank you," note from Paul.  That small church had given sacrificially to Paul as he worked for Jesus.  Because of their generosity, God blessed the church at Philippi. 

I've always heard preachers say, "You can't out-give God."  I believe that is true.  I believe that God does special things in the lives of those who give generously.  You see, they sow bountifully and they reap bountifully.

Some of the sourest people I know are stingy.  They have a sour expression on their face.  They mope and complain.  They have sown sparingly and they are reaping sparingly.

Generosity is not just about money.  Generosity can also be about your time and talents.  Giving people are blessed people.  God loves a cheerful giver.  When someone gives their time, talents or treasures, God blesses them. 

Nowhere in the Bible does it state that if you give $10 to a church that God will give you $100 in return.  We should not treat God like He is the stock market or a slot machine.  Instead, we should give generously in His Name because we love Him.  In response, He will bless us in many different ways.  

Ultimately, Christians should be laying up treasures in heaven.  Here on earth, we are making eternal investments.  When we invest in God's kingdom, be assured that there will be a guaranteed harvest.  Although God blesses His children here on earth, I believe our greatest blessings are yet to come.  I believe that there are many things we've forgotten that God still remembers.  He remembers when you took time to speak to a hurting person.  He remembers the time you gave money to a poor person.  He recalls the time that you helped someone in need.  He blessed you when you blessed them ... but He has even greater blessings in store.  There are treasures waiting in heaven for those who've served Jesus because they loved Him.

Don't sow a little here and a little there.  Sow the right seed and sow it generously.  If you sow bountifully, you WILL reap bountifully.

HARVEST TIME

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." - Galatians 6:8

Last week, I wrote about the law of sowing and reaping.  We learned that the law was a natural law and a spiritual law.  The law is active whether a person consciously knows it or not. 

Many people are reaping what they have sown.  For instance, some are in prison, reaping what they have sown.  Others are reaping, experiencing the ill affects of substance abuse.  Then there are people who are reaping what they've sown as they struggle with sexually transmitted diseases.  Although these examples may seem extreme to most people, they are reminders that we are responsible for our decisions & that we reap what we sow.

Despite all the reaping going on in our world right now, the great harvest is yet to come.  Paul wrote, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."  Harvest time is coming.  People will be reaping what they have sown.

The Bible makes it very clear that every person will some day stand before God.  Judgment is coming to all of us. 

As I wrote last week, the law of sowing & reaping can be positive or negative. That is certainly the case with the judgment to come.  Paul wrote that some will ultimately reap corruption and others will reap life everlasting.  What will cause some to face corruption while others enjoy eternal life?  The answer is found in the life they sowed.

Paul wrote, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption."  Those who've lived apart from God will spend eternity apart from Him.  Ultimately, Jesus will reject those who've rejected Him.  People who deny Christ here on earth will be denied entrance into heaven.  People will reap what they have sown.  People who've sown to the wind will reap the whirlwind.  Men who've pursued sin will reap the consequences because Paul wrote, "... the wages of sin is death."  If a man plays with fire, he WILL get burnt.  It is wrong for a man or woman to live like the devil and still expect to go to heaven.  They will reap what they've sown.

On the other side of the coin, Paul wrote, "... but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."  Harvest time is coming for those who belong to the Lord.  Those who've sown "to the Spirit," have been changed by the power of the Spirit.  The Spirit had convicted, converted and changed them.  They've been born again by the Spirit.  The Spirit of God indwells them.  The Spirit of God directs them.  The Spirit of God is sanctifying them.  Ultimately, the Spirit of God will raise them.  These disciples of Jesus have died to sin and denied self in order to follow Him.  God has invested much in these saints & they are investing in Him.  They are laying up treasures in heaven.  They are sowing in the Spirit and not the flesh.  They have received Jesus, confessed Jesus and trusted in Jesus.  He is their all-in-all.  He is precious to them.  They have found the Pearl of Great Price and have sold out to invest in Him.  They, too, will reap what they have sown.  They have sown to the Spirit & through the Spirit they are reaping everlasting life.

Which really describes your life?  If you live for the devil, you will spend eternity with him.  If you live for Jesus, you will spend eternity with Him. 

Harvest time is coming & you will reap what you've sown.  

 

A LAW THAT WON'T BE REPEALED

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap." - Galatians 6:7

We live in a land of laws.  Some of our laws become outdated and are replaced. Other laws are wrong from inception and are eventually repealed.  Still there are laws that have been around for ages and are great laws ... laws that will always be in effect. 

Also, there are natural laws.  These laws were not passed by Congress and can't be removed by the Supreme Court.  For instance, there is the law of gravity.  You may not like that law.  You may not agree with the law.  You may not even respect the law, but if you walk off a cliff, the law of gravity will still be in effect ... and down you will go. 

God enacted natural laws.  He designed them.  He expects us to observe and respect them.  You may campaign against natural laws, but that would be a waste of time.  You can get a rally organized, but the natural laws will still stand.

I want us to focus on a law that is considered a natural law, but it is much more than that --- it is a spiritual law.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  The law of sowing & reaping is a law that most people neglect to think about, but it impacts their lives anyhow.

Paul wrote, "Be not deceived."  To live in denial of this law is an act of self-deception.  Sadly, many are deceived.  Many think they can sow wickedness and reap tranquility.  Some believe that if they sow in secret, a harvest will never come.  Regardless of whether you sow secretly or publicly, a harvest is certain. Don't deceive yourself into thinking that private thoughts or secret deeds are immune to the law of sowing and reaping.  They are not.

Paul goes on to say, "God is not mocked."  You can't fool God.  You may fool your spouse, your boss or your pastor, but you'll never fool God.  God knows your thoughts, He sees your deeds and He hears your words. 

Finally, Paul reveals this law in all its truth:  "... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  The implications of this law are profound.  More than likely, you are already reaping what you've sown.  Furthermore, you will continue reaping what you've sown. 

For now, let's look at the basics of this law.

1.  YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

First of all, you reap what you sow.  A farmer knows that if he plants corn, he will eventually see corn stalks in his garden.  He doesn't expect to reap beans if he has planted corn.  You reap what you have sown.

Your deeds are seeds.  What you do has consequences.  Sometimes the consequences don't seem too impressive.  At other times, the consequences can be severe.  Regardless, you will reap what you've sown.

2.  YOU REAP MORE THAN YOU SOW

Secondly, you will reap more than you sow.  The reason a farmer plants corn is because he expects a greater harvest of corn than he plants.  Sometimes a small seed can produce a vast harvest.  The tallest tree once began with a seed.  A large fortune can begin with a single invested dollar.  You will reap more than you sow.

3.  YOU REAP LATER THAN YOU SOW

Finally, you reap later than you sow.  A farmer may plant his garden in May, but often it is late July or August before the full harvest comes in.  You often reap later than you sow. 

The law of sowing and reaping can be a positive law ... and it can be a negative law --- it all depends on what you sow.

Here's a word all of us need to hear.  John Maxwell said, "If you don't like the harvest you are reaping, change the seeds you are sowing."  You can't change the law, but you can change the seed you're planting.

Be assured of this:  you will reap what you sow, so sow the right seed.  The law of sowing and reaping is a law that will not be repealed.

VIOLENCE & VICTORY

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18

We are living in dangerous times.  Riots, racial tension, terrorism and mass killings have become a regular headline in the national news.  Just recently, a lone gunman killed nearly 60 people in Las Vegas.  As a nation, we are appalled at such a tragedy. 

Let's be honest about it.  There are no safe places to live.  Violence may erupt in rural areas as well as urban settings.  No one is safe in their own home, despite the amount of security measures that are enacted.  Violent crimes have even taken place in schools and houses of worship. 

Being a Christian does not make a person immune to violence.  Christians are often slain along with the pagans in such acts of evil.  There are certain terror groups who target Christians with acts of cruelty and death.  While there are times that God intervenes & protects His people, there are also times that He permits His people to suffer ... and to die.  We do not follow Jesus because He offers physical security; we follow Him because of who He is.  He never promised us a life free of pain, problems or persecution.  On the contrary, He promised that His followers would endure persecution and tribulation. 

While living in such violent times, we need to remember a few things:

1.  LIVE FOR THE LORD

We should always be focused on the fact that we are not here on earth to live for ourselves.  Our purpose in life is to glorify God, not the pursuit of temporal comfort, pleasure or wealth.  We have a short space of time to live here on earth.  We don't know when or how we will leave here.  In the time we have left, let us live for Jesus.  There are no regrets to those who live for Him.

There are many who try to get Christians to compromise in areas of doctrine, conviction and ethics.  There is overt pressure placed on us to conform to this world.  We need to remind ourselves that we here on earth to please only One ... and not the world.  In an age of violence, fear tends to grip people's lives.  Living for Jesus does not preclude us from having fears, but it gives us direction and hope while living in a world of grief and pain.

2.  LIVE BY THE WORD

It isn't wrong to watch the TV news, but it is not the final authority for us.  The latest popularity polls should not govern our lives.  The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).  This world is shrouded with darkness.  Apart from God's Word, we are prone to stumble and fall.  God's Word gives us the wisdom and insight that our pagan neighbors do not have.  They can be easily swayed by the indoctrination of the world.  We have an unchanging Word from God.  We need to read His Word daily, believe His Word continually, obey His Word explicitly and stand on His Word faithfully. 

3.  LIVE BY FAITH

We do not know what lies ahead in this life.  An act of violence may erupt at the workplace.  A gunman may open fire at the mall.  A terrorist may sabotage the drinking water.  A deranged neighbor may open fire at the church or school.  We pray that these kinds of evil acts will never occur, but they may.  Despite the possibility of violence and persecution, it should not dim our faith.  Our faith is not based upon a good day tomorrow, but the One who holds tomorrow.  Tomorrow may be a good day ... then again it may be a bad day.  Tomorrow could be our final day on earth.  Regardless, we should approach each day with our faith and confidence in Jesus Christ alone.  Our future is in His hand.  Should this be our final day on earth, we know that when we leave this world, we will be in a better place, with the Lord Himself.  Uncertainty, violence and death should not dim our focus on the promise of heaven. 

Paul wrote, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Paul did not promise us that suffering would not come.  Instead, he wrote that the sufferings of this life couldn't be compared to the glory that lies ahead.  In this life, there may be violence.  In the Lord, there is victory. 

We should not define, "victory," as about us getting our own way.  Nor should "victory," be described as living a comfortable, carefree life.  Instead, victory is all about God being glorified as we live for Him, trust Him and obey Him.  We should do His will and leave the results up to Him. 

Victory is not about avoiding death, but trusting & obeying God in the face of death.  In regards to death and the resurrection, Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  We don't earn victory --- it is given to us.  Jesus won the victory when He died and rose again.  He has conquered death, hell and the grave.  He took the sting of death away.  He has put a nail in the coffin of death.  

In spite of all that we may face in this violent, wicked world, we can agree with the Apostle, who wrote, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Praise the Lord for victory in Jesus!