SOWING, REAPING AND GATHERING
Behold the fowls of the air: for they SOW not, neither do they REAP, nor GATHER into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are you not much better than they? - Matthew 6:26 (KJV)
SOWING
We find in the Holy Scriptures that the primary purpose for SOWING (Tithes, Offerings, Alms & Gifts) is to provide meat (substance) in God’s House. This supplies the needs of the people that partake in God’s House.-Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:12 & 13 Knowing that our Lord dwells in living people that make-up His Holy House (His Body), not just the physical building that inhabits the people. This generally supplys the needs of the saints and those called to be saints. We know that giving must be done from the heart reverently, understanding that this is done unto the Lord of lord’s and King of king’s, as part of our worship unto God. Out of adoration for who He is and the One upon the throne who receives this sweet smelling substance.-Hebrews 7:8
We tithe from the first fruits of all our increase (Hebrews 7:1,2,4 and Proverbs 3:9,10). Likewise, we give our offering from our increase or substance. One major difference being the tithe is from the FIRST FRUIT whereas the offering is from what we have leftover. Tithing is God's commandment for man whereas offering is voluntarily given from man to God. Tithing starts the process and ensures that we will have some left over to give unto others in the form of offerings, alms and gifts.
Give and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom....-Luke 6:38
Once you plant a seed of an offering to the Lord and His Body the harvest of more leftovers will take place for the purpose of equipping you to give larger and larger offerings. Remember this is an on going increasing process, not a get rich quick scheme. Our offering are to be taken from the overflowing abundance of our harvest. First we honor God with the first fruits of our increase, then we allocate the sufficient amount of money to our obligations to our word before man (in government responsibilities and business agreements) and after that our obligations to our family’s needs. Tithing reverently with thanksgiving and a good budgeting system will direct this allocation to the proper parties in the right proportions to ensure a portion left over for offering to the God of our love and adoration. God states in Malachi 3:10 -
Bring ye all the tithe into the storehouse (The Lord’s place of gathered resources), that there many be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of host, if I will not open you the windows (plural) of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
This part of the scripture explains the spiritual blessing by stating that God will open unto us the windows of heaven. The windows of heaven represents the Kingdom of God, His wisdom, His Word, His Way of doing business, revelations from Him, giving us more of the mind of Christ and increase our fruits of righteousness as shown in Romans 4:3. Through tithing we make a public declaration of the Lordship of Jesus in our life by believing in the message that Jesus died for our sins, and was raised for our justification and He lives forever more. Tithing is right before God. The statement that there shall not be room enough to receive it lets us know that the revelation He gives us will increase our understanding so that we will be wiser, being changed into His image and likeness, from glory to glory. We must prosper (increase) spiritually and in our soul (understanding through the knowledge of God’s Word) first to properly handle increase in the natural realm. 3 John 2 teaches on this wise,
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Notice John said ABOVE ALL THINGS, this lets us know that prosperity is of the heart, not in the possession of things. Paul testifies to this truth in 2 Corinthians 6:10 …as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. For we walk by faith not by sight.-2 Corinthians 5:7 Once we know God’s Wisdom, the way He would handle the finances if they were given to Him by a faithful steward. Then He instructs us how to produce more goods for less investing in the natural realm. This can only be done supernaturally, God’s wisdom far exceeds the wisdom of man. Yes all things are possible to those who believe. Remember Isaiah 55:8,9 in which the Lord declares that My ways are higher than your ways, but thank God through our Lord Jesus Christ we NOW have the mind of Christ.-1 Corinthians 2:16 The Lord can take that which in nothing and make it produce something good, how much more can He take our small amount from the world’s system, sanctify it through tithing then command it to bring forth abundantly to produce something wonderful for His Kingdom.
This is why the Lord told us not to lean to our own understanding (human reasonings) but rather to trust in Him with ALL OUR HEART.-Proverb 3:5 Verses 11 & 12 of Malachi 3 show us the physical part of the tithing blessing -
And I will rebuke the devourer (the waster that destroys) for your sakes, and he shall not destroy (corrupt) the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of host. And all nations shall call you bless: for you shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of host.
You can readily see that this is speaking of your harvest which is associated with your
increase, which will directly impact those you provide for, your family naturally and those in the Body of
Christ corporately. When the Lord said all nations shall call you blessed we can conclude that His blessing
will be so apparent in our lives that others can’t help but notice His goodness on our behalf. Praise God our
Father in Jesus Name! If one is having problems meeting the basic necessities of this life God’s Will is not
being fulfilled in their finances. Another difference between the tithe and an offering, is that the tithe
has already been predetermined by God as a 10% base in the natural (by no means a natural limit if tithing
on 10% of a desired higher income level by grace through faith) whereas the offering is determined by man.
God purposed in His Heart to receive 10% from man and man purposes in his heart what he will offer up to God
in cheerfulness with thanksgiving.-Hebrews 7:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 9:7,11,12 God and man working together
in unity to accomplish His Will, His Word, upon the earth.
Notice 1 Corinthians 16:1 & 2
Now concerning the collection for the ministering to the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
And also 2 Corinthians 8:12-15
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased and you be burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want (need or lack), that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, he that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
The key words prospered him and your abundance show us that the sowing of offerings should be taken from that which is not currently obligated for another responsibility. In a unique situation you could be lead to do something usual, but that is an exception not the norm. For God’s Word teaches very clearly that we should have more than enough to meet our everyday needs with money left over to give to others that are in need (offering, alms and gifts). God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:-2 Corinthians 9:8 Since the Lord promises to give seed to the sower and He promises to prosper (increase) His children we can rest assured that we shall reap in due season, when we faint not.-Galatians 6:9 &10, Palm 115:14 and 2 Corinthians 9:10
REAPING
REAPING is done continuously. We see this continuous reaping process in Mark 4:8 referring to the seed sown on good ground,
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
This reaping takes place every time we increase. Notice the words sprang up and increased, if something you planted did not increase it would be not considered a harvest. No person would have pleasure in going to an apple orchard to pick apples only to find out no apples grew on the trees. He would be somewhat disappointed, and have to praise God in-spite of the circumstances rather than for them. He would not consider that a harvest of plenty, but rather a waste of good seed. Why cumber up the ground with fruitless trees rather replace them good tree that produce.-Luke 13:6-9 The thirty, sixty, hundred fold return (increase) principle can be interpreted in various ways: One way is that the seed is good and the ground is good but the light and watering was not the same for each seed therefore the seeds yielded different amounts of harvest. For we know the ground was good because the Word of God said so, and the seed was the same good seed, ready to produce the same good results, because the narrator states that some seed fell, therefore the seed was taken from the same good stock. In the natural God produces the rain and sunlight. The Word states in Matthew 5:45 that our Merciful Father makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. We know the natural parallels the spiritual realm therefore we can rest assured that if we till our ground (our spirits) to fertile softness and keep the weeds out, God is faithful to send His blessing of rain (Holy Spirit, His Presence) and give His blessing of sun (His Son, The Way, the Truth, The Light of the world).
The Lord did not mention anything about those two conditions of lighting and watering, therefore we can focus only on what He told us do to, knowing that He is faithful to do His part. Here’s another way to interpreting that scripture in light of Mark 4:26-29
And He (Jesus) said, So is the Kingdom of God, is if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow up, he knoweth not how (it was not done by the calculated computation of human reasonings, not a natural formula). For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Notice the same two elements are discussed for the believer SEED AND GROUND for the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself. God also shows us the divine sequence of the Kingdom of God - First, then, and after that which could be used to explain the thirty, sixty and hundred fold increase (our return, our harvest). It is possible to sow one apple seed and that one apple seed could spring up (yielding in due time) the first harvest season and bring forth thirty apples being a very young apple tree, then that same tree could bring forth sixty apples the next harvest season (yielding regularly due to the foundation being established) now a mid-developed apple tree, after that this same apple tree could have a season of harvest of one hundred apples (optimum yield) reaching it maximum potential because of proper pruning and being fully developed. The numbers are not the primary focus, but rather the principle. We see this same principle demonstrated in people. First - Children can produce a certain amount of God’s fruits in their life. Then - wise teenagers can produce more of the same fruit by God’s Word and His Spirit. After That - grown married men and women can produce fruit more abundantly and produce seed to repeat (perfect) the process. Remember John 15:1,2 in which Jesus informs us that He is the true Vine and our Holy Father is the husbandman and every branch that bears fruit He, Our Father, purges (prunes) it that it may bring forth more fruit. Verse 5 states that we are the branches and we can do nothing without Him, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savour. Luke 8:8 & 15 tells us that those who brought forth a hundred fold did it by having heard the word and keeping the word in a honest and good heart with patience. Also James 5:7 admonishes us to be patient to receive the early and later rain. Knowing that God is the ultimate Giver and all we have to do is be patient and learn how to receive His goodness (showers of blessings). Perhaps the First early rain could be for the blade (thirty fold), Then the intermediate rain could be for the ear (sixty fold), the later rain, After That, could be for the full grain in the ear (hundred fold, rejoice for the harvest is come). Patient will keep us doing the same things consistently, repeatedly, without changing (wavering-trying something new, when the correct system by God has already been established in His Word), and a good heart is a heart with the right attitude (letting gratitude be our attitude for Who God is, what He has done and is doing for all those who love Him). The process of reaping takes us to the next level of excellence - gathering.
GATHERING
GATHERING is accomplished by accounting. Just like sowing and reaping, gathering is a process. This can very well be the most important part of the overall cycle, because before you can reap you would of have to of sown (Yes, it’s a must) and before you sow you must have at least one seed that was gathered by someone. Gathering is referred to in the Holy Scripture as Stewardship (we as Children of God like using words like Holy knowing that we have a language separated unto ourselves as children of God, because only a holy people can truly understand what it means to reverence a wonderfully Holy God). Remember the parable of the unjust steward who had been accused of wasting his master’s goods in Luke 16:1-13. Notice that he was not keeping account of what was going on in his master’s business. This steward sowed, but he did not properly reap, this negated the gathering of his master’s goods. When one has not reaped correctly how can he gather efficiently? This steward had to find out what each one of his master’s debtor owed. This shows us that we should be conscious of what seed we have sown (First - type of seed), how much of that seed we have sow (Then - quantity) and how long it will take to produce the FIRST harvest (After That - initial return).
Accounting is vitally important not only for the rich master, but also for job security for the steward and fairness (justice) for the debtor.
Record keeping births God’s Will for everything to be done decently and in order.-1 Corinthians 14:40 The production of our Holy Bible His self is an example of this truth. Placing thoughts, deeds, words, intentions and guidelines on paper establishes a tangible witness for other witnesses to see.
For how can two walk together unless they agree.-Amos 3:3
Gathering is done during the reaping of the harvest. Gathering and reaping work hand in hand. Sowing takes time, forethought, vision, planning, and most importantly PURPOSE. Therefore a season of patience should be exercised before any replanting (sowing). Since every time you reap, you are gathering and every time you gather you are counting and recording before the Lord, our Rich Master, we should always be on guard for the thief. As we can observe how the waster entered into the stewardship of the unjust steward from lack of knowledge. Not knowing who owed what and when they owed it, displaying a lack of discipline in asset management. We as prudent stewards, hoping to hear the words of our Lord one day proclaiming, “Well done thou good and faithful servant” must take the extra time to accurately record and discipline our spending habits and also our receiving habits (gathering, reaping of material possessions with the giving of thanks).
For every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights.-James 1:17
A good gift given to a person upon the earth can be considered a harvest from our Merciful Father, because Ecclesiastes 5:18 & 19 states -
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, WHICH GOD GIVETH HIM: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
We know that God is no respecter of persons therefore it is not possible for God to randomly decide that He will bless one man, then curse another. No, the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever.-Hebrews 13:8 Also James 1:17 informs us that there is no variableness in God neither a shadow of turning. Therefore we can conclude that God’s principles for one man’s life must be His same guidelines for all men to live by, for the just shall live by faith.-Hebrews 10:38 This shows us as children of the truthful and honest God that it is His expressed will for us to be rich, have wealth, and enjoy the fruit of our labour. Remember 3 John 2 -
Beloved I wish (desire, hope with expectancy) above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospers.
Prosperity in the soul is accomplished by gathering the knowledge and understanding of God’s Kingdom and His righteousness obtained for us. Doing this diligently, openly and continuously will place us in a position to hear and know the wisdom of God to manifest prosperity in our lives. Matthew 6:33 shares that same principle with us as,
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all His Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
You shall increase by gathering the fruit of your seed while you enjoying your reaping during the harvest seasons. It is when we continue in His Word that He considers us His disciples indeed (doers of the word, not hears only-James 1:22) and promises us that we shall know the truth (His Way, His Wisdom) and His Truth shall make us free.-John 8:31,32 We gather by joyfulness as seen in Psalm 126:5,6 -
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bring his sheaves with him.
Surely the Joy of the Lord is our strength.-Nehemiah 8:10 The Joy of the Lord is needed to give us strength to gather the harvest while we are reaping the blessing of God. If a man tries to gather while he is tired he will waste some of the precious fruit, either by gathering slowly or not putting forth the extra effort to get the fruit that is not easily accessible (not conveniently positioned). This would increase waste for his master, which would decrease his master’s profit, which could possible decrease his wages. Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.-Galatians 6:7 He that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.-Proverbs 18:9 As we stated previously gathering and reaping work hand-in-hand.
By reaping diligently and gathering efficiently we can enter into God’s abundant prosperity.
Proverbs 10:5 tells us that a wise son gathereth in harvest contrasted to the foolish son who sleeps during the harvest season. This is important to note because gathering efficient when you reap diligently will allow you to put away for the future, giving God an oppurtunity to bless your storehouses.-Proverb 3:9,10 Reaping is when you are given something in return for your seed sown. Diligently reaping means receiving the return with thankfulness unto God and accepting the responsibility to gather it as a full-time servant of God.
Not just 10 percent but 100 percent, stewardship not proprietorship.
Reaping is an attitude of the heart that says God owns everything and I am required in my stewardship to be faithful unto God and before man. It is required in a steward that they be found faithful.-1 Corinthians 4:2 Efficient gathering is removing the waste. When one does not reap with purpose of heart his gathering can not be focused. A man who gathers together with the intentions to get the maximum use out of his harvest will accurately separate the fruit into appropriate amounts and segregate according to purpose. By doing this with everything that is gathered during the reaping of the harvest will minimize waste. Thus producing a successful stewardship. Accountability and honesty before our own conscious reflects as pure water in God’s sea of love. We see this principle illustrated in the parable of a shepherd if he lost one sheep out of hundred he would go find that one sheep (Luke 15:3-6). He would not except 99 percent as satisfactory in his heart when he knows 100 percent is attainable. He wastes not! Also the woman who lost a piece of silver, and sought it out diligently until she recovered it (Luke 15:8,9). Notice in her case the lost (waste) would of been 10 percent but through her diligence she recovered it, excluding waste. Notice in the world’s system 99 percent out of 100 percent is not only good but exceptional and 90 percent out of 100 percent is judged worth of excellent (Grade A) by the world’s standards. This is not so in God’s Kingdom because God doesn’t judge by the actual number He sees you with, but rather the effort and attitude of the steward. In the world system you could pass with an A+ grade but if you cheated in your heart in God’s Kingdom you failed. God’s system is tighter, but His returns are greater. God looks at intentions and motives of the heart, whereas man judges on appearance and circumstances (situation ethics). Remember the parable of the unjust steward how the Rich Man judged him unjust when his attitude showed slothfulness (carelessness) and his efforts proved to be lacking financial discipline. However, once the steward changed his attitude which motivated his actions to increase his discipline to bring his master some profit and help the debtors to remove some of the debt (by giving their best, utilizing what they had in their possession), then the Rich Man commended the steward.-Luke 16:1-13 The exact amount didn’t please the master but rather the attitude and effort. God’s way preaches inner purity before God to bring about blessings of goodness to man. Religion teaches deeds of goodness toward mankind to show I am good and clean before God. God’s Way produces inner fruit and growth. Man’s way produces an outer show with an inner emptiness. God’s Way of relationship is humbling, satan’s form of religion produces pride. God’s Way produces peace by grace through faith and man’s way produces bondage through frustration by an demonstrative outward show. Once the unjust steward caught up the books by recording what the debtors owed, when they owed it and how much they had to pay, he removed the waste of his master’s goods. In the first verse of the story we see the primary root (reason) of why this steward was called into his master’s office to give an account of the his stewardship - And He (Jesus) said also unto His disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
Therefore it is evident that we as children of an efficient God should not only eliminate waste, but also refuse to allow it in our lives both now and forever.
The instruction of God’s Word commands us not to give any place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27 ) and Isaiah 54:16 states that the Lord has created the Waster to destroy (the Waster that destroys). This clearly shows us that God is against waste. A basic definition of waste as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary means to use, consume, or expend thoughtlessly or carelessly; squander. The word of God teaches us to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He shall direct our paths.-Proverbs 3:6 The Lord teaches us to carefree not careless. Squandering the things of the earth is squandering the things of God. For the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.-1 Corinthians 10:26 By changing our attitude to be accountable for every thing we receive (reaping) and doing our best to sufficiently use all resources in our possession (gathering) we will increase our efforts to remove all waste. Thus producing a quality stewardship for our Lord Jesus Christ and our Loving Father through the direction of Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 8:15 illustrates this principle also by stating - As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. This shows us that God’s will on earth is for us not to waste His goods of the earth. We should know what we need and use what we reap to supply it.
By designating each and every dollar (any material resource) that we are responsible for then using it (sowing it) as purposed, we can enhance the quality of our stewardship from God and before man. For he that is faithful in little will be faithful in much.-Luke 16:10 Once we have been faithful in that which is least (good gifts upon and earth) then the Lord can pour out to us a more abundant measure of the perfect gifts (which come from the Spirit of God).-Luke 16:11 Jesus told us that if we know how to give good gifts being natural how much more will our Heavenly Father give the spiritual gift of Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.-Luke 11:13 Also Ephesians 4:7,8 declares -
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Now we can spiritually see (understand) that our handling of the material things upon this earth will directly effect our spiritual partaking in Christ Jesus. No man can serve two master, For either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.-Matthew 6:24 This reveals to us that our stewardship upon this earth is not something that God takes lightly and neither should we. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways He will direct our paths to fulfill the scripture of Ephesians 2:8,9
For by grace are we are saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the GIFT OF GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
One of those good works is being a faithful steward through sowing, reaping and gathering. Amen.
In His Love, Eric & Angela Foster