Reaping Proportionately
Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:6
“A man reaps what he sows” – The peculiar
thing about this is that it is a promise and a warning at the same time. Life’s
choices are filled with consequences good and bad, temporary and eternal,
according to what is sown. I have found that there are really two parts to the law of the harvest; one
part says we reap more than we sow – which has to do with God’s part, or what
God does with our seed; the other is we reap in proportion to what we sow –
that’s our part. I can also note that scripture also points out our attitude in
sowing as well by using words such as “grudgingly, reluctantly, or under
compulsion”…”for “God loves a cheerful giver.”
The world’s philosophy and God’s wisdom are
typically just the opposite. The world says “get all you can, can all you get,
and then sit on the can!” This was the philosophy of the man who received one
talent; this was the philosophy of the man who reaped a large harvest and
decided to build bigger barns rather than share with those in need. In contrast
to this, the believer sows to glorify God and bless others. If you read on in 2
Corinthians 9 it says “Now he who supplies seed to the sower…” Where does the
seed come from? (Remember we are not just talking about money. These laws are
universal and apply to every area of life.) It says that God not only supplies
the seed, but he also “will supply and increase your store of seed so you can
be generous on every occasion.” Remember the story of the fish and the loaves?
Not only did everyone eat, but there were twelve baskets left over!The kind of seed we sow, the attitude in which we sow, and the measure by which we sow, will all determine the outcome or the harvest. The increase, which is God’s part, will always be in proportion to what we do with what he gives us. Once again, if you look at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, you will see this law of the harvest in action. I can’t say it enough, the laws of the harvest are universal! You may not think you have much love to give, but what are you doing with the love you have? You may not think you have much talent, but what are you doing with the talent you have? You may not have much knowledge, but what are you doing with the knowledge you have?
The laws of the harvest are one explanation of the generation gap. The younger generation wants to “sow their wild oats” and have fun, take chances, and live life with reckless abandon. The older generation is reaping the consequences of doing just that when they were young, and now they are trying to warn the young, and nobody listens. I am glad however, that the laws work both ways because many of us older generation are reaping the good harvest of the good seeds our parents and grandparents have planted over the years.
The fact that we reap more than we sow can be seen in many ways, but especially in a physical garden. One kernel of corn will produce many kernels of corn; one bean seed can produce hundreds of beans, and so on. There is an old saying that we can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed. We may sow the seed of love or knowledge or compassion into a child, and only God knows how many lives may be changed because of what was sown.
Proverbs 11:24 says “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed!” My friends, we can’t do anything about last years – or yesterdays harvest – but we can do something about tommorows!
* A man reaps what he sows.
* A man reaps in due season.
* A man reaps in proportion to what he sows.
Finally,
* A man reaps a full harvest through perseverance… (tomorrow’s post)
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