THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-9 NKJV
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
The laws of sowing and reaping pertain to more than just the agricultural arena. We have become farther and farther removed from farming, and so sowing and reaping are not as familiar. But the law of sowing and reaping has been established in the earth since the days of Noah. And sowing and reaping naturally mirrors the spiritual law. This is a way of God’s Kingdom.
Paul is writing to the church, and in this chapter, he is specifically targeting financial sowing and reaping. So when Paul talks of sowing bountifully, he is talking about sowing bountifully financially. The law is sow big, reap big. And sow small, reap small. That’s straightforward whether we are sowing corn, wheat, or money.
Then Paul goes into the heart of sowing. This is where sowing finances differ from corn or tomatoes. Sowing financially involves the heart. Not grudgingly or under pressure to give. God loves a cheerful giver. We know God loves all, but we can assert that God is pleased with one who gives cheerfully. God is a cheerful giver, and when we copy our Heavenly Father, it pleases Him.
Paul also reveals that sowing cheerfully opens the door to God’s grace abounding toward us. God’s grace is able to accomplish so much in our lives, including providing an abundance for every good work. Verse nine gives us insight into good works. Giving abroad beyond our world and giving to the poor are good uses of God’s abundance. And this giving into God’s Kingdom has eternal value. This giving endures forever.
APPLICATION:
There has been much said about sowing and reaping as it pertains to the church during the last 50 years. And, as with any truth, there have been great blessings and great controversies.
Some people line up with the belief that God wants them blessed and to have an abundance. Others hold to the idea that God does not bless materially, only spiritually. And, of course, there are all kinds of opinions and doctrinal stances for each position.
I am of the belief that God wants His people blessed. That God wants His children to have an abundance. An abundance is necessary if we are going to carry out the Great Commission to take this gospel all over the world. And it takes abundance to reach our community.
But I do not argue with those who do not believe in God’s financial provision. It’s not worth the fight. But the way to decide which way you should go is best discerned by the scriptures. The law of sowing and reaping is not cultural; it’s scriptural. Paul wrote the Galatians and told them that God was not mocked; you reap what you sow.
There are spiritual laws that, when applied with the right heart, can be a blessing to you and make you a blessing to others.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for Your spiritual law of sowing and reaping. Show me how to sow with the right heart. I want Your abundance that I might have the ability to give to good works.