Sowing And Reaping

Sowing and reaping 1 Kings 4:8 – 37, 8:1 – 6

There’s an agricultural practice that is often used as spiritual principle.

Jesus referred to it several times, and Scripture gives examples of this practice.

We have often heard “you reap what you sow”.

Most often this is used with a negative connotation.

However, the principle of sowing and reaping is also an example of investment and reward or planting and harvesting.

2 Corinthians 9:6 – 7

Sow a little = reap a little. Give little = get little

Sow a lot = reap a lot. Give much = get much.

Sow with the right attitude.

(8) Grace ensures that you have the best seed. Good seed/pure- no hybrids

Galatians 6:6 – 10

“For whatever a man sows, that shall he reap.”

We see the spiritual application of sowing and reaping.

(9) “If we do not grow weary or lose heart” “we shall reap”.

(10) We are to sow often and opportunistically to all.

These two New Testament passages are proven/shown in the book of 2 Kings by a relationship between Elisha the prophet, and a Shunamite woman.

This principle is relevant and applicable for us today.

This example of a godly woman is inspirational and educational.

2 Kings 4:8 – 17

1) She sowed in sacrifice, preparation, and recognition.

Shunem is half way between Mt. Carmel and Abel-Meholah, Elishas home town. Perhaps in his older age he stopped there for rest as he passed thru.

Half way between Carmel and Elishas home town of Abel-Mehola. (25 miles each way)

A. Sacrifice (8) – She persuaded Elisha to eat.

She provided the food and the place.

She sowed her possession!

Give/use of what you have!

We are afraid that God will ask us to give what we don’t have.

2 Cor. 6:9 God will provide what we are to sow.

B. Preparation (10) – She prepared the food.

She prepared a room.

She sowed her time!

C. Recognition (9, 13) – She honored God’s man.

She sowed in respect! Attitude!

None of this was done expectantly – what can I get out of it.

Room not rented, meals not sold, deals not made for favors later.

All of this was given respectfully – how can I bless someone.

She asked nothing in return for her hospitality, kindness, sacrifice, preparation, or recognition.

Do not give or do for others out of expect but out of respect!

If there is sowing then there must be reaping.

She reaped a son! (16 – 17)

What she needed man could not give, her husband was old. (14)

Because of her kindness (sowing in faith) Elisha petitioned God on her behalf, and God provided for her.

2 Corinthians 9:6 – 7 How we give is important, “God loves a cheerful giver”.

Galatians 6:6 – 10 To whom did she minister? God’s man.

(6) “With him who teaches”.

(10) “Especially to those of the household of faith”.

How did she minister? Sacrificially, Respectfully and consistently.

(9) “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we

shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

She sowed in sacrifice She reaped a son.

2 Kings 4:18 – 37

2. She sowed in faith.

When her son – the promise miracle – died, she sought the man of God.

Prophets were God’s representation and spokesman in the OT.

This was a great tragedy, God promised a son and now he is dead.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. It rains on the just and the unjust.

This trial was not to punish her but would, as we will see, glorify God and deliver her.

She did not sow in woe – Pity party, Why me?

She took her trial, trouble, and tragedy and sought after God.

A. She went immediately – action was taken (22) “run to” (23) “today”.

Miracles require obedience, action and faith.

She did not mope or mourn, she sought God.

B. She went believing.

Statements of faith – (23) It is well/it shall be well. (husband)

(26) It is well. (Gehazi)

She is not in denial. She trusts God.

She trusted that God would provide her answer to/ thru Elisha.

C. She went persistently.

1. Her husband could not deter her.

(23) Why are you going today?

It is not church day.

It is not God time.

2. Fatigue would not deter her.

(24) “Do not slacken the pace.” Don’t “grow weary”.

We are on a time sensitive mission.

3. Gahazi couldn’t deter her.

(27) “He tried to push her away”

The cold water committee.

4. Elisha couldn’t shake her off.

(27, 30) She held on.

“Persistence is like wrestling a gorilla, you don’t give up when you get tired, you don’t give up to the gorilla gets tired.”

If there is sowing then there must be reaping.