The Law of Sowing and Reaping
Reading Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Verse to Memorize: 2 Corinthians 9:7
Reference: Galatians 6:7-9 Goal: to help believers cultivate their heart-fields to have good soil so that they can reap thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what has been sown Farmers sow seeds and put a lot of work into their growth because they believe that they will reap abundant fruit. However, if the farmers don't know how to cultivate the field and when to sow and when to reap, an abundant harvest can't be expected no matter how diligently they make their efforts in raising them.
The same applies to a Christian life. When we understand the law of sowing and reaping well and act according to the law, then we can receive answers and blessings. So, what should we do to become God's true children and bear abundant fruit?
- 1. We should cultivate our heart-fields to become good soil
A farmer should cultivate his field first before sowing seeds. No matter how rough and desolate the land is, if he cultivates it vigorously with sweat, it can be made good land with good soil. If the ground is hard, he has to plow it, loosen the soil and add fertilizer. If there are rocks, he should get rid of them and if there are thorns, he should pick them up. If he cultivates with his heart, the soil can be changed into good soil. The same goes with our heart-fields. If we keep the commands in the Bible that tell us to 'cast away' and 'not do', our heart-fields are cultivated. Moreover, if we keep and practice the words telling us to do and to keep, spiritual fruit can be borne abundantly.
Matthew chapter 13 records the analogy of the four fields that spiritually symbolize the hearts of men. The first is the 'roadside'. The roadside is very hard unlike the field because people always walk on it. If the seeds fall on the roadside, they cannot take root. Since they don't get buried in the soil, they cannot sprout. Birds come and eat those seeds. The roadside symbolizes hardened hearts. It is the heart with which they cannot understand the Word of God, or believe it when they hear it. Even though they are shown evidences, they still doubt and don't want to believe it. The second kind of heart-field is 'rocky soil'. If seeds fall on the rocky soil, they sprout but they don't grow well due to the rocks. With this heart-field people know the Word of God as knowledge but deeds don't follow because of their attachment to and love for the world. Because they don't have assurance of faith and they still have untruths, they fall if trials and afflictions come. They say amen with fervor when they receive grace but when Satan works on them and they easily stumble and betray. The third kind is the 'thorny soil'.
If seeds fall among the thistles and thorns, when the seeds come up they are choked by the thistles and thorns and no crop is yielded. With this heart, the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. They believe the Word of God and act according to it, but they don't act perfectly in the Word. For example, they keep the Sabbath holy just to obey the Word to do so, but they still worry unceasingly about fleshly things such as housework, business, and workplace. Then, they are not able to worship in spirit and truth. Consequently, they can't receive the fullness of God's blessing. The fourth kind of soil is the 'good soil'. If seeds fall on this soil, they sprout, grow well and bear abundant fruit at thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold. People with the good soil do not use their own thoughts but just obey unconditionally with faith saying 'Amen'.
So, they can communicate with God all the time. They receive answers to whatever they pray for and live according to the will of God. Even though we sow many seeds and care for them, we will not gain a satisfactory harvest compared to the amount of seeds we sow if the field does not have good soil. So, like the field, we first have to cultivate our heart-fields. Namely, we have to cast away sins and evil and purify and sanctify our hearts. Then, with the heart-field of good soil we've developed, we can bear abundant fruits of goodness, love, virtuous generosity, and gentleness.
- 2. We should sow various seeds before God.
A farmer sows several kinds of seeds each in their season. There can be beans, read beans, and the seeds of radishes, cabbage, pumpkin, and the like. It is much the same spiritually. We have to both cultivate our hearts and at the same time sow seeds. If we diligently pray to cast off hatred and sow the seeds of 'love', we can throw away hatred quickly and come to love others. It is much the same as we cultivate the field and come to have increasingly better soil.
What we should know here is that just to cast off untruthful things in itself cannot be rewarded before God. Then, what does it mean to sow? Obeying the Words in the Bible that tell us to do and keep things is the sowing that we must accomplish. The actions of keeping and practicing the words in the 66 books of the Bible such as to rejoice, to preach the gospel, keep the commandments, and keep the whole Sabbath holy are examples of spiritually sowing various seeds. Just as a farmer sows seeds in hope and with belief that he will reap a bountiful harvest in autumn, we should sow with joy believing that God will give us overflowing blessings that are 30, 60, and 100 times what we've sown. When we sow with joy, not grudgingly or under compulsion, we can reap abundant fruit (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- 3. We have to grow them with patience and dedication
A farmer provides water and fertilizer after planting seeds, pulls up weeds, drives away bugs, and grows the crop with patience. Without such toil, the plants wither at sprouting or while growing. They may also be damaged by diseases or insects before bearing fruit. Until they bear fruit the farmer must work diligently. Only then can he harvest abundant fruit.
Then, what should we do so that the Word of God grows well in us and bears beautiful fruit? First, we have to worship in spirit and truth during worship services. In other words, we offer up services with heart, mind, dedication, and love for God. Only then can we avoid idle thoughts, fatigue, and drowsiness. Not to mention that strength comes from heaven so we can communicate with God. Only when we realize the Word of God can we discover ourselves and grow spiritually. Secondly, we should receive the fullness and inspiration of the Spirit through prayer and praise. No matter how great the faith one has, if a person doesn't pray he can neither avoid trials and afflictions nor overcome Satan and the world. On the contrary, if we are always awake, cry out in prayer according to the Word of God, and give glory to God with prayer and praise with our hearts, then we can be inspired, influenced, communicate, and be filled by the Spirit. Thirdly, we have to rejoice and give thanks in everything.
Plants also grow well and are fresh when we grow them with joy and pleasure. In the same manner, only when we always rejoice and have gratefulness will Satan be driven away and cannot come near us. Fourthly, we have to wait for the right time with patience. Timing in bearing fruit is different according to the kind of seed. In the same token, some 'seeds' we plant before God can quickly be borne as fruit, but others require longer time. So, Galatians 6:9 reads, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." If we grow the seed with patience in this way, we can bear the fruit of spiritual love, the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of Beatitudes. It will also be the evidence of our love for God.
- 4. For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap
When a farmer sows seeds, he will reap the fruit of the seeds. The same principle applies in spiritual law. Galatians 6:7-8 reads, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." If we sow 'prayer', strength will come upon us from heaven. We can live by the Word of God and our souls will prosper. If we work and volunteer diligently, weakness will be driven away and we will become healthy.
If we give financially of what we earn as tithes and thanks offerings, then financial blessing will come upon us and we can use it as we want for the kingdom and righteousness of God. A prominent woman in Shunem served Elisha, the servant of God, with her heart. So, Elisha prayed to God for this woman and she was blessed to have a son although she hadn't had a child for a very long time. Tabitha was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. She was blessed to be revived from death. That is, for whatever we sow, this we will reap. Thus, I urge you to cultivate your heart into good soil and sow various seeds. By doing so, I hope you will reap abundant fruit.
Sheria ya Kupanda na Kuvuna
Usomaji wa Maandiko: 2 Wakorintho 9:6–8
Mstari wa Kukariri: 2 Wakorintho 9:7
Rejea: Wagalatia 6:7–9. Lengo: kuwasaidia waumini kulima mashamba ya mioyo yao yawe udongo mzuri, ili wavune mara thelathini, sitini au mia moja ya walichopanda. Wakulima hupanda mbegu na kufanya kazi nyingi ili ziote kwa sababu wanatarajia mavuno mengi. Lakini wasipojua kulima shamba na wakati wa kupanda na kuvuna, hawawezi kutarajia mavuno mengi hata wakijitahidi kiasi gani.
Kanuni hiyo inatumika pia katika maisha ya Kikristo. Tunapoielewa vizuri sheria ya kupanda na kuvuna na kutenda kulingana nayo, tunaweza kupokea majibu na baraka. Basi tufanye nini ili kuwa watoto wa kweli wa Mungu na kuzaa matunda mengi?
- 1. Tuilime mioyo yetu iwe udongo mzuri
Mkulima hulima shamba lake kwanza kabla ya kupanda mbegu. Hata ardhi ikiwa ngumu na kame kiasi gani, akiilima kwa bidii na jasho, anaweza kuifanya iwe ardhi nzuri yenye udongo mzuri. Udongo ukiwa mgumu, anapaswa kuuchimba, kuulegeza na kuweka mbolea. Akiwaona mawe, ayaondoe; akiona miiba, aing'oe. Akilima kwa bidii, udongo unaweza kuwa mzuri. Hali kadhalika na mashamba ya mioyo yetu. Tunapozishika amri za Biblia zinazotuambia “kuacha” na “kutokufanya,” tunalima mioyo yetu. Zaidi ya hayo, tukishika na kutenda maneno yanayotuambia tufanye na kushika, tunaweza kuzaa matunda mengi ya kiroho.
Mathayo sura ya 13 inaeleza mfano wa aina nne za mashamba, zinazowakilisha mioyo ya watu kiroho. Ya kwanza ni “njia ya kando.” Ni ngumu sana kwa sababu watu hukanyaga humo daima. Mbegu zikianguka njiani haziwezi kuota mizizi; hazifunikwi na udongo, kwa hiyo hazioti, na ndege huzila. Njia ya kando inawakilisha moyo mgumu. Watu wenye moyo huo hawawezi kuelewa Neno la Mungu au kuliamini wanapolisikia. Hata wanapoonyeshwa ushahidi, bado hutilia shaka na hawataki kuamini. Aina ya pili ni “udongo wa mawe.” Mbegu zikianguka humo huota, lakini hazikui vizuri kwa sababu ya mawe. Watu wenye moyo huu hulijua Neno la Mungu kama maarifa, lakini hawalitendi kwa sababu wamefungamana na kuipenda dunia. Hawana uhakika wa imani na bado wana mambo yasiyo ya kweli, kwa hiyo majaribu na mateso yanapokuja huanguka. Husema “amina” kwa bidii wanapopokea neema, lakini Shetani anapotenda kazi ndani yao hujikwaa na kuiacha imani kwa urahisi. Aina ya tatu ni “udongo wenye miiba.”
Mbegu zikianguka katikati ya mbigili na miiba, zinapoota husongwa nayo na hazizai mazao. Katika moyo wa namna hii, mahangaiko ya dunia na udanganyifu wa mali hulisonga Neno na kulifanya lisiwe na matunda. Watu hawa huamini Neno la Mungu na kulitenda, lakini hawalitii kikamilifu. Kwa mfano, hutunza Sabato kwa sababu tu ya kutii amri, lakini bado huhangaikia bila kukoma mambo ya mwili kama kazi za nyumbani, biashara na mahali pa kazi. Hivyo hawawezi kuabudu katika roho na kweli, na kwa sababu hiyo hawapokei utimilifu wa baraka za Mungu. Aina ya nne ni “udongo mzuri.” Mbegu zikianguka humo huota, hukua vizuri na kuzaa mara thelathini, sitini na mia moja. Watu wenye moyo mzuri hawaongozwi na mawazo yao wenyewe, bali hutii kwa imani bila masharti na kusema, “Amina.”
Kwa hiyo wanaweza kuwasiliana na Mungu daima. Hupokea majibu ya maombi yao na kuishi kulingana na mapenzi ya Mungu. Hata tukipanda mbegu nyingi na kuzitunza, hatutapata mavuno yanayolingana na kiasi tulichopanda ikiwa shamba halina udongo mzuri. Kwa hiyo, kama shamba, kwanza tunapaswa kulima mioyo yetu. Yaani, tuondoe dhambi na uovu, tutakase na kuifanya mioyo yetu iwe mitakatifu. Kisha, kwa shamba la moyo lililo udongo mzuri, tunaweza kuzaa matunda mengi ya wema, upendo, ukarimu wa fadhili na upole.
- 2. Tumuandalie Mungu mbegu za namna mbalimbali
Mkulima hupanda aina mbalimbali za mbegu kwa majira yake: maharagwe, njegere, figili, kabichi, maboga na nyinginezo. Hali hiyo inafanana kiroho. Tunapaswa kulima mioyo yetu na wakati huohuo kupanda mbegu. Tukisali kwa bidii ili kuondoa chuki na kupanda mbegu za “upendo,” tunaweza kuiondoa chuki haraka na kuanza kuwapenda wengine. Hii inafanana na kulima shamba na kuifanya ardhi iwe bora zaidi.
Tunapaswa kuelewa kwamba kuondoa mambo yasiyo ya kweli pekee hakutuzalii thawabu mbele za Mungu. Basi kupanda kunamaanisha nini? Ni kutii maneno ya Biblia yanayotuelekeza kufanya na kushika mambo. Kutenda na kutekeleza maneno ya vitabu 66 vya Biblia, kama kufurahi, kuhubiri injili, kushika amri na kuitunza Sabato yote iwe takatifu, ni mifano ya kupanda mbegu mbalimbali za kiroho. Kama vile mkulima hupanda kwa matumaini na imani kwamba atavuna mavuno mengi wakati wa vuli, nasi tunapaswa kupanda kwa furaha tukiwa na imani kwamba Mungu atatubariki kwa wingi, mara 30, 60 na 100 ya tulichopanda. Tukipanda kwa furaha, bila huzuni wala kulazimishwa, tutavuna matunda mengi (2 Wakorintho 9:7).
- 3. Tuzikuze kwa subira na kujitolea
Mkulima humwagilia na kuweka mbolea baada ya kupanda mbegu, hung'oa magugu, hufukuza wadudu na kukuza mimea kwa subira. Bila kazi hiyo, mimea hunyauka inapochipuka au inapokua. Inaweza pia kuharibiwa na magonjwa au wadudu kabla ya kuzaa. Mkulima lazima afanye kazi kwa bidii hadi mimea izae; ndipo atakapovuna mengi.
Tufanye nini ili Neno la Mungu likue vizuri ndani yetu na kuzaa matunda mazuri? Kwanza, tuabudu katika roho na kweli wakati wa ibada. Yaani, tumtolee Mungu ibada kwa moyo, nia, kujitoa na upendo. Hivyo tutaepuka mawazo yasiyofaa, uchovu na kusinzia. Pia tutapokea nguvu kutoka mbinguni na kuweza kuwasiliana na Mungu. Tunapolifahamu Neno la Mungu ndipo tunaweza kujitambua na kukua kiroho. Pili, tupokee utimilifu na uvuvio wa Roho kwa njia ya maombi na sifa. Imani ya mtu ikiwa kubwa kiasi gani, asipoomba hawezi kuepuka majaribu na mateso wala kumshinda Shetani na dunia. Lakini tukiwa macho daima, tukimlilia Mungu katika maombi kulingana na Neno Lake na kumtukuza kwa moyo katika maombi na sifa, tunaweza kuongozwa, kuguswa, kuwasiliana na Roho na kujazwa Naye. Tatu, tufurahi na kushukuru katika kila jambo.
Mimea hukua vizuri na kuwa mibichi tunapoikuza kwa furaha. Vivyo hivyo, tukifurahi daima na kuwa na shukrani, Shetani hufukuzwa na hawezi kutukaribia. Nne, tungoje wakati unaofaa kwa subira. Muda wa kuzaa hutofautiana kulingana na mbegu. Vivyo hivyo, baadhi ya “mbegu” tunazopanda mbele za Mungu huzaa haraka, na nyingine huhitaji muda mrefu zaidi. Kwa hiyo Wagalatia 6:9 yasema, “Tena tusichoke katika kutenda mema; maana tutavuna kwa wakati wake, tusipozimia roho.” Tukikuza mbegu kwa subira namna hii, tunaweza kuzaa matunda ya upendo wa kiroho, matunda tisa ya Roho Mtakatifu na matunda ya heri. Hayo pia yatakuwa ushahidi wa upendo wetu kwa Mungu.
- 4. Mtu huvuna kile alichopanda
Mkulima anapopanda mbegu, atavuna mazao ya mbegu hizo. Kanuni hiyo hiyo inatumika katika sheria ya kiroho. Wagalatia 6:7–8 yasema, “Msidanganyike, Mungu hachezewi; kwa kuwa chochote apandacho mtu, ndicho atakachovuna. Maana yeye apandaye kwa mwili wake, katika mwili wake atavuna uharibifu; bali yeye apandaye kwa Roho, katika Roho atavuna uzima wa milele.” Tukipanda “maombi,” tutapokea nguvu kutoka mbinguni. Tutaweza kuishi kwa Neno la Mungu na roho zetu zitastawi. Tukifanya kazi na kujitolea kwa bidii, udhaifu utaondoka nasi tutakuwa na afya njema.
Tukitoa sehemu ya mapato yetu kama zaka na sadaka za shukrani, tutapokea baraka za kifedha na tunaweza kuzitumia kwa ajili ya ufalme na haki ya Mungu. Mwanamke mashuhuri kutoka Shunemu alimtumikia Elisha, mtumishi wa Mungu, kwa moyo wake wote. Elisha akamwomba Mungu kwa ajili yake, naye akabarikiwa kupata mwana ingawa alikuwa amekaa muda mrefu bila mtoto. Tabitha alijaa matendo mema na sadaka alizotoa kwa wahitaji daima. Alibarikiwa kufufuliwa kutoka kwa wafu. Kwa hiyo, tunachopanda ndicho tutakachovuna. Ninawasihi mlime mioyo yenu iwe udongo mzuri na mpande mbegu mbalimbali. Mkifanya hivyo, mtavuna matunda mengi.