SOW WHAT?

Corn planted … Corn harvested
Lots of seeds planted … lots of corn harvested

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God.

You will always harvest what you plant.”

Galatians 6:7 New Living Translation

 It’s tragic how often we trivialize this immutable law … and then scratch our heads in bewilderment when faced with its consequences.

By planting the wrong seeds in our lives we forfeit the very life and results we really want.

– plant seeds of strife and we forfeit peace

– plant seeds of dishonesty and we forfeit integrity

– plant seeds of relational apathy and we forfeit friendships

– plant seeds of instant gratification and we forfeit lasting security

– plant seeds of immorality and we forfeit honor and respect

Why do we mock God’s justice, then stand with hands on hips glaring in his direction as if He’s devised havoc in our lives. How pitiful.

How unnecessary!

Before we sow any seeds we need to stop and consider the coming harvest season. We will reap precisely what we have sown. No other outcome is possible. Period.

But there’s another side to this sowing and reaping saga. Once we have settled that we will get back the kind of seed we have sown, and have decided to plant good seeds, then consider II Corinthians 9:6: “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” New Living Translation

 In Malachi 3 God is talking to Israel about giving. The word picture accurately portrays our giving and God’s response. We ‘bring’ our tithes … our ten percent given dutifully, sometimes fearfully … moving toward ‘cheerfully.’ And when we do our part, then God does his part. The windows of heaven are thrown open. God pours into our lives at a rate threatening our ability to absorb. Our crops are insect-free and abundant. What an exchange!

This week, if you desire more of this ratio working in your life, plant liberally. Don’t pick up a couple envelopes of Burpee corn seeds at the local hardware store and plant them. Get a fifty pound sack and plant in the acreage of your life. Then your liberality and God’s husbandry will produce the kind of extravagance that will truly satisfy you and prove a blessing in the lives of those around you.