Sow Now, Reap Later
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”—Gal. 6:9.
We are fully aware of the laws of sowing and reaping. For example, you sow first, then you reap. The reaping always comes later than the sowing. You cannot reap unless you sow. You always reap more than you sow. You can expect to reap whatever it is that you sow. We know these basic laws. Many times we have seen them function just as God designed them.
The verse I’ve noted above brings some additional light to the matter. So let’s apply what we see here.
1. You do have sowing options (vs. 8). Just as the farmer will choose which crops to plant, each of us must decide what we sow and where we sow in both life and ministry. If you run with a worldly crowd or with a company of compromisers, you will consequently be sowing negatively.
2. Both sowing and reaping are definitely work. You can dream (and you should). You can spend time in your office (and you should). You can fellowship with your fellow Christians (and you should). But you must not let even such good things deter you from “the work” of sowing and reaping.
The secret to your success in ministry is not your computer or other technological gadgets. As important as it is for us to have the power of God, it is still necessary for us to “work.”
3. We may get tired, but we must not become “weary.” The person who is weary is about to be a quitter. He is no doubt giving discouragement a place to lodge. He may be sidetracked by the grunts and groans of the people around him.
“Weary” may be somewhat physical, but it is primarily mental and spiritual. If you see it coming your way, deal with it and correct the situation.
4. The “weary” complex always attacks the best things. It is the “well doing” where most of us cave in. I’m talking about the solid Christian life, the separated lifestyle, the spiritual disciplines, our church attendance, our soul winning, our giving and our service (preaching, teaching, bus routes, etc.).
5. The key is “faint not.” That simply means don’t wilt under pressure. Don’t let up because you are unappreciated. Don’t let your critics back you off. Stay at the task. Don’t lose heart. Stay excited about the Lord and what you are doing for Him.
In other words, let it never be said, “Well, I used to.…”
6. There is a “due season.” If you sow some every day, you have a good chance of having a yearround harvest, but you must not be impatient. The reaping often comes weeks, months and even years after the sowing. You must give it time.
7. The Lord’s sure promise is “we shall reap.” As I review Matthew 13 in Jesus’ parable of the sower, I am informed that a lot can go wrong in the sowing and reaping process. As a result of living in this old world, where the Devil roams about and things are spinning wildly out of control, you will sow some seed that will be destroyed.
Jesus made it clear that some would not produce, but He also assured us that if we sowed generously some of our efforts would produce in full measure. Yes, His promise is “we shall reap.”
Just this morning a pastor friend called and was rejoicing over the Lord’s blessings in his church. He said to me, “Don’t tell anybody; but having church Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night still works. Preaching the Bible still works. Knocking on doors and winning souls still works. Running buses still works. Singing out of the hymnal still works.”
He was kidding, of course, when he said not to tell anybody, but we rejoiced together. His Sunday school is up, the auditorium is full, giving is up, people are joining, converts are being baptized and a lot of other good things are happening.
Remember this:
1. The world may be headed wrong, but the way of the Lord is always right.
2. While others are wasting their time whining, you and I can be busy at the task.
3. The Lord’s orders are the same today as they were a decade ago or a century ago.
4. The darkness may be gathering, but the light of the Lord still shines through it all.
5. The toughest of times create the greatest of opportunities for us.
6. The servants of God can still be Spirit-filled, Heaven-blessed and abundantly fruitful.
7. The Lord’s presence, His promises and His power are all available to us every single day.
Let’s keep living the Christian life. Let’s keep praying. Let’s keep training soul winners. Let’s keep preaching. Let’s keep going after the lost. Let’s keep running buses. Let’s keep giving. Let’s stay in church. Let’s do it. Now is the time.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
