SOWING AND REAPING
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6 — “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:18-19; Hebrews 13:16
Description: Sowing and reaping is a spiritual principle that teaches us that our generosity, obedience and actions produce corresponding results according to God's grace and faithfulness.
INTRODUCTION
Sowing and reaping is a principle established by God and revealed throughout Scripture. In the natural world, a farmer reaps according to what and how much he sows. In the same way, our choices, attitudes, words, service and giving produce consequences in our lives.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul teaches that the one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, while the one who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. This principle is not a promise of selfish gain or a licence for manipulation; it is an encouragement to give generously, faithfully and cheerfully, trusting God to bring the appropriate harvest.
God sees every seed sown in obedience. He sees our sacrifices, our kindness, our prayers, our service and our generosity. Although the harvest may not always come immediately or in the form we expect, God remains faithful to honour the principles He has established.
1. SOWING AND REAPING IS A GOD-ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLE
The principle of sowing and reaping began with God's order for creation and continues to operate in every area of life.
a. God Established Seedtime and Harvest (Genesis 8:22) — As long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest will continue.
b. Every Seed Produces After Its Kind (Genesis 1:11-12) — What we sow determines the nature of what we eventually reap.
c. God Is Not Mocked (Galatians 6:7) — No one can continually sow contrary to God's ways and expect a righteous harvest.
d. Our Actions Have Consequences (Proverbs 22:8) — Those who sow iniquity will reap trouble, while righteous living produces blessing.
Biblical Example: Isaac sowed in the land during a time of famine and reaped a hundredfold because the Lord blessed him (Genesis 26:12).
2. WE MUST SOW THE WORD OF GOD
The Word of God is an incorruptible seed that produces faith, transformation and spiritual life in those who receive it.
a. The Word Is the Seed of the Kingdom (Luke 8:11) — The seed represents the Word of God sown into human hearts.
b. The Word Produces Faith (Romans 10:17) — Faith grows as people hear and receive God's Word.
c. The Word Brings Spiritual Growth (1 Peter 2:2) — Believers mature as they continually feed on the truth of Scripture.
d. The Word Accomplishes God's Purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11) — God's Word will not return to Him without producing results.
Biblical Example: The early Church devoted itself to the apostles' doctrine, and the believers grew in faith and fellowship (Acts 2:42-47).
3. WE MUST SOW IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteous living is a seed that produces peace, favour and a harvest that honours God.
a. Sow Righteousness and Reap Mercy (Hosea 10:12) — God calls His people to sow in righteousness and seek Him wholeheartedly.
b. Righteousness Produces Peace (Isaiah 32:17) — The work of righteousness brings quietness, assurance and stability.
c. Obedience Brings Blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-2) — God promises blessing to those who diligently obey His commandments.
d. Good Character Produces Good Fruit (Matthew 7:17-18) — A righteous heart produces actions that reflect God's nature.
Biblical Example: Joseph maintained his integrity in difficult circumstances, and God eventually lifted him into a position of influence and authority (Genesis 39:7-23; 41:38-41).
4. WE MUST SOW GENEROUSLY
Generosity is one of the most important ways believers sow into the lives of others and into the work of God's kingdom.
a. Sow Bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6) — Those who sow generously will reap generously according to God's purpose.
b. Honour God with Your Substance (Proverbs 3:9-10) — Giving God the first and best reflects our trust and gratitude.
c. Give Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) — God delights in those who give willingly and joyfully.
d. Give to Those in Need (Proverbs 19:17) — Kindness to the poor is treated by God as a loan to Him, and He will repay.
Biblical Example: The widow gave two small coins, but Jesus recognised that her offering represented great sacrifice and faith (Mark 12:41-44).
5. WE MUST SOW IN GOOD WORKS
Every act of kindness and service is a seed that God sees and can use to bless others.
a. Do Good to Everyone (Galatians 6:10) — Believers should take every opportunity to do good, especially to fellow Christians.
b. Do Not Grow Weary (Galatians 6:9) — Faithfulness in good works will eventually produce a harvest if we do not give up.
c. Serve Others with Love (1 Peter 4:10) — Spiritual gifts should be used to minister to others as faithful stewards of God's grace.
d. Good Works Glorify God (Matthew 5:16) — Our good deeds should direct people to praise our Father in heaven.
Biblical Example: Dorcas was known for her good works and acts of charity, and her life made a significant impact on the believers around her (Acts 9:36-39).
6. WE MUST SOW WITH FAITH AND PATIENCE
A farmer does not plant a seed today and expect a harvest immediately. In the same way, spiritual sowing requires faith, patience and perseverance.
a. Wait for the Precious Fruit (James 5:7-8) — Just as a farmer waits for the harvest, believers must patiently wait for God's timing.
b. Walk by Faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) — We must trust God's promises even when we cannot yet see the results.
c. Do Not Despise Small Beginnings (Zechariah 4:10) — God can use small acts of obedience to produce significant results.
d. Continue in Faithfulness (1 Corinthians 15:58) — Our labour in the Lord is never wasted.
Biblical Example: Hannah prayed and waited faithfully for a child, and God eventually answered her prayer with the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-20).
7. WE REAP ACCORDING TO WHAT WE SOW
The quality and nature of our sowing influence the kind of harvest we receive.
a. Sow to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8) — Those who sow to the Spirit will reap everlasting life.
b. Do Not Sow to the Flesh (Galatians 6:8) — Sowing to sinful desires produces corruption and destruction.
c. Words Are Seeds (Proverbs 18:21) — Our words can produce life or death, encouragement or discouragement.
d. Thoughts and Attitudes Are Seeds (Philippians 4:8) — What we continually think about shapes our character and conduct.
Biblical Example: David sowed kindness to Saul despite being persecuted, demonstrating that righteous responses can overcome the cycle of hatred and revenge (1 Samuel 24:16-22).
8. GOD GIVES THE INCREASE
Although we are responsible for sowing faithfully, God alone gives the increase and brings the harvest according to His wisdom.
a. God Gives the Increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) — Human effort is important, but God is the One who produces spiritual results.
b. God Supplies Seed to the Sower (2 Corinthians 9:10) — God provides both the seed to sow and the bread needed for our daily lives.
c. God Multiplies the Seed Sown (2 Corinthians 9:10) — He can increase the impact of our generosity and obedience.
d. God Makes Grace Abound (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God is able to provide sufficient grace for every good work.
Biblical Example: The disciples distributed the five loaves and two fish, and Jesus multiplied the small offering until it fed thousands (Matthew 14:15-21).
CONCLUSION
Sowing and reaping is a spiritual principle that calls us to live intentionally before God. Every word, action, attitude, gift and act of service is a seed. We must therefore be careful about what we sow and faithful in the way we sow it.
Let us sow the Word of God, righteousness, generosity, kindness and good works. Let us sow with faith, patience and cheerful hearts, trusting God to give the increase. Though the harvest may not come immediately, God is faithful, and no seed sown in obedience to Him is ever wasted.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, help me to understand and apply the principle of sowing and reaping, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, give me grace to sow the Word of God faithfully, in Jesus name.
3. Father, help me to sow righteousness and obedience throughout my life, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, make me a generous and cheerful giver, in Jesus name.
5. Father, help me to sow kindness and good works wherever I go, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, give me patience to wait for the harvest You have appointed for me, in Jesus name.
7. Father, deliver me from sowing to the flesh and help me to sow to the Spirit, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, let every good seed I have sown produce a fruitful harvest, in Jesus name.
9. Father, multiply the impact of every seed I sow for Your kingdom, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, give the increase to every righteous seed sown in my life, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall sow good seeds and reap a fruitful harvest.
2. You shall grow in righteousness, faith and obedience.
3. Every seed of generosity you sow shall produce blessings according to God's will.
4. You shall not grow weary in doing good.
5. God shall give increase to the work of your hands.
6. Your words and actions shall produce life, encouragement and blessing.
7. You shall reap the results of faithful and righteous sowing.
8. Every good seed sown into your family, ministry and community shall bear fruit.
9. You shall not reap corruption from sowing to the flesh.
10. Your life shall continually produce a harvest that brings glory to God, in Jesus name.
