10 Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:10-15
I grew up in the country where sowing seeds and harvesting was a part of every day for us. I watched my parents work the ground to prepare for the seeds to be planted. We would then spend weeks and months to make sure the plants had all that they needed to grow and ultimately provide food for our family, with a hope that there would be enough for the whole year.
Fifteen years ago, my wife and I met a couple who became lifelong friends. They are a family that truly understands what it means to sow and to reap a harvest. Not only do they work and manage a 500-acre farm, the husband also sells tractors. I am not talking about small lawn tractors. These are large and highly complex machines, the kind that are used on farms with thousands of acres.
I remember one particular conversation where he shared with me how sophisticated these machines are. The tractors communicate with satellites on just about everything. They can tell what the slightest elevation changes are in the land to determine how much seed and fertilizer need to be used. They even attempt to predict the yield per acre.
This passage of scripture is all about how we are called to be good stewards of our resources. God is a gracious and giving God. He has given each of us the resources to be able to share and spread the gospel message. Not only will He provide everything we need, but He also describes how He will enlarge the harvest in order for us to bless others. This blessing to others will lead to praise of our Creator by both the giver and those who received the gift.
My two experiences above are examples of the intentionality of sowing and reaping. My parents worked extremely hard to prepare the soil, to plant the seeds, and to maintain the fields so the harvest would be plentiful. My friend went the extra mile on his own farm, and he helped others to be able maximize every acre of land. Both my parents and my friend also used what they grew to feed others. Their ultimate purpose was not simply to give food, but also to create opportunities to show the love of Christ and share the gospel, leading to praise and worship of our Creator.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What resources have you have been given that you need to be intentional in using for the gospel?
- How do you need to prepare and maintain those resources in order to see God’s kingdom advanced?
- Who can you bring along with you so they learn how to prepare, maintain and use their resources for the gospel?
Family Activity
What are gifts/talents that your family has? Do you love to bake, or maybe you build things? Maybe you are an encourager or a fierce prayer warrior. Spend time with your family doing these activities to bless others. Talk about how sewing these seeds of blessing in our families don’t only affect our neighbors around us today, but our kids neighbors, and their kids neighbors, and their kids neighbors by instilling a desire to love and serve through the gifts God has uniquely given each of us.
Missions Prayer
Pray for S and D, global workers from our church family. They work to bring the gospel to some of the most marginalized people in a major city in East Asia. Pray for health, protection, and favor with local authorities.