1. Jesus taught the laws of sowing and reaping through the parable of the sower and the seed (Mark 4:1-20). The Lord asserted that what we sow will proportionately be credited to our account in its quantity and quality. Sowing involves what we give out in terms of our faith, obedience, and service. What we reap may not be made manifest until we are ushered into heaven.
2. Jesus affirmed the teaching of the Old Testament from Obadiah 1:15 which says, "As you have done, so will it be done to you; your deeds will recoil on your own head." The Lord knew that relationships are especially included in the law of sowing and reaping both for in positive and negative ways. Mistreating even the most obscure person will eventually come back to effect the offender.
3. Jesus warned people that we could never run away from the fact that living by fear rather than faith will lead to frustration. Jesus said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt. 10:28) Too many people allow their fears to govern their decisions rather than faith in the rock solid promises of God.
4. Jesus assured the disciples that if they followed Him, He would make them into fishers of men (Matt. 4:19) We tend to become like the people who we pledge our allegiance to. Be careful whom you idolize.
5. Jesus did not promise any timetable that God would honor His pledge to reward those who sowed with good seed. Do not be presumptuous and expect God to perform miracles according to your schedule. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Isa. 58:8,9)
6. Jesus promised that there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. Be careful what you say to people as it may come back to haunt you later on. (Matt. 10:26,27)
7. Jesus focused on good soil (People of reliable productivity). (Matthew 13:8) Ask the Lord to help you focus on winners who are faithful people who are consistently teaching others also about growing in all aspects into Christ.
8. Jesus promised that those who obeyed Him would be given greater insight into His will. Jesus said, "If anyone is willing to do my will He will know of the teaching whether it is from God or whether I speak from myself." (John 7:17) Realize that the Lord is only willing to give greater wisdom to those who have already obeyed what they know to do with what they have. The Lord is not going to give people any more responsibilities until they have shown faithfulness in their present assignments.
9. Jesus taught people to recognize winners by their fruits. Spiritual fruits are given by the blessing of the Spirit of God. A fruitful person is one who is exhibiting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, but also they are involved in bringing people to Christ and helping them multiply.
10. Jesus taught people to be careful with their speech. Yet their words are merely reflection of the quality of their character. People sow positive or negative seeds as a result of the quality of their spiritual life. The Lord said, "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned." (Matt. 12:33-37) Ask the Lord to help you develop a maturing character through godly discipline that flows from a consistent devotional life of prayer and study of the scriptures every day for at least 30 minutes. Jesus did.
11. Jesus taught people that what comes out of their life defiles them not what is in their circumstances. The Lord said, "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. (Matt. 15:17-19) Ask the Lord for the ability to practice self-control with your words so that you can sow wholesome language that edifies and evangelizes.
12. Jesus taught people that the sins of omission, wrong disposition and faulty presuppositions are often more serious sins than the sins of commission. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Failures to trust and obey the Lord in all things are generally the most serious sins. Do not be deceived God is not mocked for whatever you sow that will you also reap. (Rom. 8:6-8)
13. Jesus taught people that there is a fierce spiritual warfare waged against those who try to sow the seeds of the kingdom of God and His righteousness through Christ. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) Soldiers of the cross must be willing to suffer wounds in their battle for truth, lost souls and planting and growing churches. Remember that Jesus had to sow even His own blood to finish the work God called Him to do!
