Think Like A Farmer. (5 Things farmer’s don’t forget).
2 Corinthians 9:6-10NASB
This morning, I want you to think like a farmer. 1. The first thing you’ll learn about farming is you’ll never see a farmer who refuses to plant seeds, sitting around expecting a harvest.
About this farmer: This particular farmer may attend church regularly, be a good family man, have devotions every day and share his faith with others, but he’s not going to get a harvest without first planting.
This thought came to me to challenge you with. “On a day to day basis, How do you plant spiritual seed?”
First we hear. We have to get desperate and intentional. We get in His presence. We understand God is the only satisfaction. We adore Him.
Second, we do, we go into His Throne Room of Grace and linger and learn.
Thirdly, We confess, we’re empty without Him; therefore, we let go, and He takes over, we stay silent and listen, as He speaks. He fills our seemingly empty shell; He walks up and down the avenues of our heart changing what He may will, and when we feel a release, there will be satisfaction that the world can’t give.” P.H
Again, the law of sowing and reaping is built into creation.
Remember, Genesis 8:22NASB All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Once more, according to Genesis 8:22, Seedtime and harvest are universal laws.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, Paul concludes his appeal by pointing to the benefits the Corinthians will reap as a result of generous giving.
2 Corinthians 9:6-10NASB Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
We see this principle often in the Old Testament. Here's the principle in Proverbs:
Proverbs 11:24-25TLB It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.
Again, I want you to think like a farmer thinks.
2. Just as you’ll never see a farmer refuse to plant seed, You’ll never see a farmer eat the seed he should be planting.
If a farmer is going to reap a harvest, he knows he must start with a seed, not his need.
Jesus said in Luke 6:38TM Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
Some of us approach God from a need standpoint, “I can’t give to the Lord because I have to pay these bills.”
Remember, we’re still thinking like farmers-right? Again, some say, “I got bills to pay.”
Farmers don’t say, “I can’t plant this seed even though it’ll yield a good crop, because I’m hungry right now.”
“A wise farmer saves for a rainy day.” P.H
2 Corinthians 9:7AMP Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].
According to verse 7, this is a well thought-out process. “This is where your faith kicks in. Even though it’s tempting to eat your seed, sow that seed into the ground anyway!” P.H
Hebrews 11:6NASB But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
3. When a farmer plants his seed instead of eating it, it’s an act of faith that his seed will turn into a harvest.
Remember, harvest takes time-Let faith kick in!
*Time to Pray
*Time to Love
*Time to wait, watch and reap. Yes, reap the harvest!
That’s why Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 9:8TLB God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.
God gives the farmer more so he can help others with joy!
Galatians 6:7NASB Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows,
Question: Do you hold God’s promises in high esteem? Your willingness or reluctance to plant is the tell, tell sign.
4. Again, think like a farmer. The thing you want to reap, must be the thing that you sow.
Why? Because the seeds you sow will always produce after their own-kind, whether for good or for bad.
Again, the thing you want to reap, must be the thing that you sow.
2 Corinthians 9:9-10TLB It is as the Scriptures say: “The godly man gives generously to the poor. His good deeds will be an honor to him forever.” 10 For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest.
God calls you, “The harvest of righteousness.” When sowing becomes your nature, you become the harvest of righteousness.
Imputed righteousness, it’s the fact, that the "righteousness of Christ ... is imputed to [believers] — that is, treated as if it were theirs through faith.
Let’s do some critical thinking, “Sometimes we plant weeds and expect roses!’ ‘Sometimes we’re quick to judge others, yet we ourselves are the first to pled for mercy if we fall.” (Think about it).
Again, a farmer doesn’t sow corn and expect to reap potatoes.
Questions: Is your seed prepared? Yes, but are you prepared? Place your seed in your hand. Here’s 6 steps to follow.
By faith, Pray over the seed.
By faith, bury your seed. (John 12:24)
By faith, water your seed in worship. Give God the sacrifice of praise.
By faith, wait on your seed, by waiting on the Lord. Isaiah 40:29, Have you not know, have you not heard, that the Ever Lasting God…
By faith, keep weeds away by eating and digesting God’s word.
By faith, rejoice over your harvest! Rejoice over God’s multiplication!
5. There’s one final principle of sowing and reaping we need to understand. We not only reap what we sow, but we reap more!
Say, reap more!
2 Corinthians 9:11TLB Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help.
Think about this Bible fact, “Your gift will make many break-out in praise!’ ‘Also, your gift, breaks the back of the stronghold of hoarding, and being stingy, you can find a freedom in giving.” P.H
Some folks live by the philosophy,“Get all you can, can all you get, and then sit on the can.”
In closing, remember this, “Just like the Church of Corinth, Your giving is living proof of your maturity level.” P.H
Benediction.
