We have learned in this series that both the promise and warning of Scripture is that we reap what we sow. We have learned that life’s choices are filled with consequences both good and bad—temporal and eternal. According to the Seven Laws of the Harvest, reaping what we sow means; 1) we reap only what has been sown 2) we reap the same in kind as we sow 3) we reap in a different season than we sow 4) we reap more than we sow, and today that we look at 5) we reap in proportion to what we sow.
The underlying message for the laws of sowing and reaping is this; AS NOW – SO THEN. That is to say… things are the way they are now because of what was done then. This is a bit philosophical, but it is also really true. You and I are becoming today what we will be the rest of our lives!! Yes, we are a work in progress – that is why it so important to make good progress – not simply maintain what we are or who we are, every day.
The last two laws are closely related, yet there is a very significant and clear distinction between them.
Four – We Reap More Than We Sow
Five – We Reap in Proportion to What We Sow
Those two laws each reveal the fact that we reap more than we sow. Both laws deal with quantity and amount, but the fourth law where the seed we sow is multiplied many times over has to do directly with God’s part, the fifth law [we reap in proportion] this ours—we own it. That we reap in proportion to what we sow is paired to human responsibility. It gives a voice and credence to the principles of living by faith, being faithful, being bold, being courageous, being visionary and even being adventurous.
Life eventually asks us all this question: “What would have been or could have been if had only taken a chance?” In the context of sowing and reaping isn’t the question really “What could have happened in my life if I had only sown the seed that I had?” There is a sign along the Alaskan Highway that reads: “Choose your rut carefully, you’ll be in it for the next 200 miles.”
God’s promised is that whatever is sown is multiplied many times over. Man’s part is that, trusting and having real faith in God’s sovereign providence, mercy, and promises, should lead us to sow all the good we can and leave the results to God. Here is the amazing thing with God – our opportunities to sow good seed and to reap in proportion to what sow are still before us. The best, not the worst is still ahead for us all.
Biblical Foundations of This Law
2 Corinthians 9:6
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit and greatly influenced by the wisdom of the Torah when he wrote this to the Christians in Corinth. This is as clear as it gets and summarizes a principle that is found throughout the Bible from beginning to end. Generous sowing leads to generous reaping. John Lawrence who wrote the book The Seven Laws of the Harvest, articulated the principles of generous giving this way:
If you want to be rich – GIVE!
If you want to be poor – GRASP!
If you want abundance – SCATTER!
If you want to be needy – HOARD!
I believe that as a church, we have been receiving a revelation that the Laws of the Harvest are real. And we have each in some way experienced in real -time that reality both negatively and positively. But here is where God wants us to land – If we sow abundantly to the Spirit, we will reap abundantly in spiritual blessings and consequences. We can no longer sow abundantly to our flesh, or we will reap in proportion an abundant harvest of the same. I know what I choose… and by what we have been experiencing it is pretty clear what you have chosen as well.
Our “poster boy” for Sowing and Reaping (King David) is our best reminder: Because David continued to sow to the flesh, his sin snowballed and avalanched on him. He went from coveting Bathsheba to breaking every sin of the second half of the Ten Commandments. He sinned abundantly and reaped abundant consequences.
But the message, the morning, and this moment is for Reunion. This principle and this promise is set for good outcomes and not bad. It is a Jeremiah message…
I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
It is a spiritual law of life that is the very DNA of God, but one that is contrary to the nature or DNA of man. God’s blessings, favor and covering that come to us through sowing and reaping is revealed in His Word. Note: These scripture are in complete context to the Laws of the Harvest.
Acts 20:35
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
Proverbs 11:24-26
There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. He who withholds grain, the people will curse him…
The message here is clear, it is our time to sow generously and faithfully with our lives and ministry, we sow the best of our time, our talent, our treasure, and our truth. We are about to reap a harvest in proportion to what we have sown.
Biblical Evidence for This Principle
God’s character, forms the foundation of His Word and provides our motivation for living our lives by this principles of His Word. We need to remember who God is, what He is like, and what He has promised. Not only is He omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and sovereign, but He is a loving, kind, gracious, and a giving God. It is God’s nature to bless us and to give good gifts to us. It’s the Gospel – the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ is our best illustration of this.
Romans 8:31-32
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Since bountiful sowing is the result of what WE (you and I) are responsible for, “what is needed to make this happen? Bountiful sowing is always about our day to day commitment to biblical principles, personal values, personal discipline, personal character and the clear decision to live a Spirit-filled life. There it is…
2 Corinthians 8:3-8
For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Consequently we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
2 Corinthians 9:5-6
So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, that the same might be ready as a bountiful gift, and not affected by covetousness. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Note: The word bountiful in 2 Corinthians 9:5-6 is translated from the Greek, [eulogia] meaning; good word, praise, flattering speech, and in Paul’s context – blessing.
Let’s say that again – He who sows a blessing will also reap a blessing…
This is more Biblical evidence that we reap in proportion to what we sow.
Final Thoughts
Here is where we circle back to revisit all of that talk about living by faith, being faithful, being bold, being courageous, being visionary and adventurous. Our sowing is to be the result of faith from singleness of vision and devotion to God. We should be generous because we are trust God for eternal treasures, trusting God both to supply our present needs, and increase our ability to give and be a blessing. Of course, we should always give out of love for God and people in need, but we also give in faith because we know God has promised to supply our needs, that our giving will not be our lack. In connection with the gifts given by the Philippians to supply his needs, Paul wrote:
Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
A point of clarification is in order here. The analogy of sowing and reaping in 2 Corinthians 9:6 does not teach that you will get back tenfold or a hundred fold of your giving so you can live a fantasy lifestyle. We sow and give so that God is glorified and others receive a blessing – that’s how “we get ours.” There is a promise of return, but it is to increase our seed for sowing, greater giving, and increase the harvest of our righteousness, spiritual fruit for the glory of God according to (2 Corinthians 9:1-11).
Last Thought: Sow in Trust – Not in Uncertainty
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.
Contrary to how man typically thinks, these verses and the conditions they describe are designed to promote bountiful sowing, not the opposite which is selfishness, self-centered, narcissistic, greedy and stingy. These verses warn about the dangers of being overly cautious which hinders generous sowing. The point here is don’t try to second guess the sovereignty of God. Just trust the Lord. We can’t wait for conditions to be perfect. Nor can we wait for things to be free of all risks—absolutely free, absolutely safe. Instead of protecting ourselves, we have to take what appears to us as risks and live by faith. We Reap in Proportion to What We Sow.
About Reunion Community Church
Located in Peoria, AZ, we are a non-denominational Christian church. We love God and teach His Truth. We invite you, your family and friends to join us on the faith journey, growing closer to one another, the Christian community of believers at Reunion, and most importantly with God. Read more about the timeless Truth we build our lives and faith in Christ on HERE.
We are conveniently located just off the 101 on 83rd Ave and Cactus Rd. Join us on Sunday mornings, Weds. evenings, and throughout the week at our small groups, meeting in homes around the Valley, including Surprise, Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Goodyear, Litchfield, and more. Connect with us on Facebook and YouTube
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