So far we have learned, that the parable of the sower a is very important parable in the bible and explains very much. In the first part we have seen, that God distributes the seed and it brings fruit, thirty-, sixty- or a hundred fold. In the second part we have seen, that we human beings distribute the seed, which also brings fruit. In both parts we have looked at the seed as the word of God. In this third part I would like to go on a step further and show, that this principle of sowing and harvesting has also its validity in other areas of life.
Not only the word of God is a seed, but also everything else, which you give, is a seed. In this sense the Bible speaks too:
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets (Mt 7:12).
Here we see how accurately this principle of sowing and harvesting is. What you give or do is actually, what you want that others do or give to you. A couple of years ago the post in Switzerland had a slogan, which said: If you want a letter, then write a letter. That’s exactly how it is. In the area in which you give, you will also receive. Therefore, when you write letters, then you may also receive letters in return. You can give love and you are going to receive back love. You can also give material things and you can receive back material things, because the seed reproduces what he represents. When for example you give chocolates, then you should not expect, that you later receive for it apples, but you will get chocolates later. Out of my own life I can pass on the experience, that as a child I gave soaps or candles as a present. What I go later? – Correct, I have candles and soaps given as a present. Or I gave a ball point pen and I get always ball point pen as a present. By this I have not to buy myself a ball point pen any more, because the harvest comes in. Also money is a seed. In Malachi 3 God says very clearly to his people, that they rob him with tithes and offerings. In verses 10 – 12 we can read on:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
This scripture in Malachi will be often used for money (but can be used also for other things). If we give God the tithes, which of course belong to him, He will open the window of heaven and give a blessing (harvest), which exceeds our capacity to keep it (see also Proverbs 3:9-10). He promises also, that he holds back the devourer, that is everywhere we can suffer loss. When you discover, that in your life items go broken or you lose them, then check, if you give the tithes regularly. When you give it, then God will help you, that you get no damage. Also if the tithes wholly belongs to God, we have to give it of all our hearts and with joy and he will give us, because he has a heart of a giver.
In every area of life we can sow seeds. I have heard a story from a person who had big debts and who gave a large amount at an offering at a convection. Thereby he has said to his amount of money, that it is a seed in order to get out of the debts. The debts were a multiple bigger than the amount, which he has given. God has honoured this and has brought him out of debt. This does not mean that God opens the window of heaven and let money pour down. Because this would be counterfeit money, instead God uses people or opportunities (do not limit God). God brings finances in your life on ways, which you cannot imagine yourself, and God will help you out your situation. It may even be, that debts will be pronounced non-existent. When you give an amount at an offering, then you can name this amount (it becomes a seed). By this you sow a seed and this seed will bring fruit.
As we have already seen, if we sow, then also comes a harvest. This harvest can be very big. The Bible speaks of thirty-, sixty- or a hundred fold. The harvest can also be bigger than you actually have utilisation for. Or rephrase: where you sow, you will harvest and where you harvest, you become rich. This does not mean, that you adopt resp. accumulate material goods by sowing and reaping, but as already mentioned on another place, God gives seeds to the sower for food and for sowing. This example we can take and place it in a financial or material environment. God allows you to purchase certain things by sowing and reaping, but also to pass on to the one who is in need. Then you can give in liberty. Through this passing on you sow again. Through the sowing again a harvest comes and with the harvest financial goods that you can pass on again. This should be a continuous process. It is important that we as Christians and as the body of Christ get material and financial goods, as good stewards like the Bible mentions it again and again, because we stand shortly before a big revival. Such a revival is also a harvest time. One who works in the agriculture knows, that the harvest is the most expensive season in the year. Likewise it is true in the kingdom of God. In the coming revival lots of finances will be needed to spread the gospel and meet the need of needy people. So the good news will spread, not only the word with nice words and consolation, but that also the needs of people will be met. I know a project, which is called „Feed the Hungry“, where to the people food will be given, but also the gospel. Both goes hand in hand. Not only give the gospel, but also care about the needs of people. Thereby our Christian testimony will be true, respected and accepted. That is why it is important, that we do not look of the sowing and harvesting as personnel enrichment, but that also parts of this harvest goes out again, so that the kingdom of God will be built and enlarged.
