You don’t get a crop if you don’t plant seed. I know that is terribly obvious, but for some reason people seem at times to forget such a simple truth.
Seedtime comes before any harvest. And what you plant is what will grow. Can you believe that? If you plant corn you don’t get pineapples! How crazy is that?
What am I teasing at? I have met many people over the years who thought they could plant rebellion, anger and selfishness and still get a great crop of good things. I have met youth who were lazy who still thought things would work out fine for them. I have met people who are arrogant and self-willed who thought they could get good fruit from pushing people around.
So let me remind you that you won’t get a crop if you don’t plant seed, and what will grow is what you sow.
King Solomon prompts us to sow good seed often. This is in contrast to those who can’t be bothered and only do the least they are required to do.
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening keep at it, for you do not know which will be successful, this or that, or whether both will be good.” Ecclesiastes 11:6
The Apostle Paul echoes Solomon’s advice by warning that the less we do the smaller our crop will be.
“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2Corinthians 9:6
There are many practical examples of this. If a student does minimal study then their learning and test results will reflect that. If you spend a lot of time with your friends those friendships will be stronger. If a salesman only does half a day’s work he won’t get as many sales. If you spend all day at your work or distractions you can’t expect your family to be as connected to you as if you spent time with them.
I have met people who are quite diligent and who keep working on their business every day, even when they find it difficult. They might send out five promotional letters each day, or make a set number of phone calls.
The less you do the smaller your results. The more times you sow seed the more likely it is that something will grow.
And, picking up Solomon’s thought, you might be sowing in the wrong place. You can’t guarantee which seed will sprout and give a good crop. So sow widely.
On a spiritual basis consider sowing spiritual things into your life.
If you won’t tell your friends about Jesus you can’t expect them to accept Him as their Lord. If you won’t pray you can’t expect God to answer your prayers. If you pursue God you will find Him. If you read God’s Word regularly and faithfully, you will have the effect building up within you.
It’s no good going to a nice church and having a shiny new Bible if you aren’t sowing spiritual things into your life. That includes prayer, Bible reading, letting God’s Word speak to you, fellowshipping with people who love God and who allow Him to impact their lives.
As a visiting preacher to various churches I have seen folk gather after service for fellowship. Sometimes I hear them engaged in political debate or talking about latest technology. They might be having a good time, socially, but they are not
engaging with spiritual things.
At other times I have seen people come early for prayer or Bible Study or take time to reflect on and digest what was preached. I have seen people seeking prayer and keen to dig into the things of God.
Whether you realise it or not you are actually sowing seed in your life all the time. Importantly you are either sowing to your human nature or to the spirit part of you. The part you provide for will dominate the other.
“The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8
So don’t fool yourself. Don’t think that by giving room to your selfishness and fleshly desires you will end up with good spiritual fruit. God won’t be fooled by your religious performance.
“Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows is what he will reap.” Galatians 6:7
Sometimes we don’t see the crop for a long time. We can even think that nothing is growing. Some crops mature fast, while some trees take years before producing their first handful of fruit. Don’t lose heart just because you are sowing and not seeing results yet.
“Do not grow weary in doing right, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Sowing and Reaping is a Bible principle that applies to every aspect of your life. Take it seriously and begin to increase the good seed you sow, in your family, your spiritual life and your practical and financial circumstances.
At the same time pay attention to any wrong seed you are sowing, such as your selfishness and fleshly desires. And if you are sowing into your finances while not sowing into your family or your spiritual life, then you need to change that immediately.
Do the right thing. Sow the right seed, often. And be patient as you wait for the good crop because it is coming.
So with those thoughts in mind, may God bless you as you come to terms with the importance of Sowing Seed.