CENTRAL THOUGHT
The divine principle of sowing and reaping is manifest in all aspects of life.
TEXT: GAL. 6:1-10; 2 COR. 9:6
INTRODUCTION:
The law of sowing and reaping has come to be accepted as a universal, natural, scriptural, and spiritual truth that has found acceptance in all fields of endeavors. It is as old as creation and has been employed to communicate diverse kinds of instructions. In the church of Christ today, this truth is often declared among believers. The only irony is that today this truth finds vocal expression often when church is soliciting funds from members. A careful pinder on this truth will reveal the fact that its application extends beyond the borders of financial solicitations. In the actual sense, it embraces every element of Christian activities and secular routines that require the selfless use of divine endowments to enhance the comfort of one another. This includes how tenderly we restore the backslider, how burdensome we are when we render helping hands to others, how faithfully we conduct ourselves in the exercise of gifts how committedly we contribute towards the welfare of Laborers in God’s vineyard, and in general, how lovingly we respond to every opportunity to glorify God with our talents. In each of the scenarios above, the quality of seed we sow goes a long way to determine the kind of harvest that we get.
This study will focus on some of the dimensions of sowing and reaping, and how they should be practiced among believers in Christ.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
This lesson is intended to accomplish the following objectives:
- Explain the scriptural concept of Sowing and Reaping
- Discuss how correction and restoration may be handled among believers
- Explain how believers can bear one another’s burdens; and
- Discuss our obligations to gospel ministers
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF SOWING AND REAPING FROM SCRIPUTAL POINT OF VIEW. Gal. 6:7-10
Sowing and reaping is a natural law with divine backing (Gen. 8:22). It teaches us to sow now if we must expect to reap at a later date. Sowing comes before reaping. The sower determines what to sow while the divine law or reciprocation dictates the output. The active elements in sowing are intention, quality (or measure), watering, and regularity. It has divine conditions attached. Sowing must be done with godly intention with pleasure, in good measure, regularly, and sacrificially. Sowing that will bring good harvest requires no compulsion, neither is it a matter of convenience. It amounts to self-deceit and a mockery of the Gospel when we imagine that reaping is an unconditional entitlement.
There is no need to manipulate for harvest if we have sown according to divine direction.
It is important also to state that scriptural sowing and reaping is not restricted to items of material value only. It is applicable to the non-material dimensions as well.
QUESTION 1B) WHAT SHOULD BE OUR MOTIVES IN SOWING? 2 COR. 9:6
In sowing, according to spiritual standards, there are desires that should constitute our driving force. Some of them are as follows:
a. Desire to have the nature of God (who is the chief sower) and comply with God’s instituted ordinance on seed time and harvest (Gen. 8:22).
b. Desire to reap and have a bountiful harvest to one’s own account.
c. Desire to do the pleasurable will of God by being a source of continuous blessing to others.
d. Desire to store up our treasures in heaven where there is assurance of good harvest and eternal life (Matt. 6:20).
e. Desire to invest in the kingdom business for the salvation of souls and the greater glory of God.
QUESTION 2) HOW SHOULD CORRECTION AND RESTORATION BE HANDLED AMONG BELIEVERS? Gal. 6:1; 1Thess. 5:14; Rom. 15:1; Luke 22:31-32
Errors and setbacks are bound to occur among believers. We must see such in proper perspectives, as an affront of the enemy against the whole body of Christ. We must also remember how patiently Christ tolerated us so as to deliver us out of damnation. The Lord Jesus Christ is our perfect example.
Correction and restoration of one another should be seen as a divine obligation believers owe each other. Our motivation should be love for the brotherhood and the intent of every action must be to restore the erring one to faith. The approach must be laced with love, meekness, and empathy, which must be backed up with intercessory prayers, words of hope, and a willingness to forgive the erring one. A genuine believer must grieve at the downfall of another believer. It is not time to celebrate our own strength or put on the garment of pride and superiority. We must show genuine practical concern, while we take heed to ourselves so that we are not equally ensnared.
The believer experiencing challenge must cooperate with the concern of the other brethren and take advantage of it for quick restoration. He/she must not cast hope away; neither should such a one succumb to suggestions of self-damnation. Rather, he/she should encourage him/herself too in the Word of God and the power of His grace to forgive.
QUESTION 3) HOW ARE WE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF ONE ANOTHER? Gal. 6:2; John 15:12; James 2:8; Rom. 15:1
We are expected to see the challenge of one believer as a challenge to all believers, and the victory of one as the victory of all. Therefore, we must exercise forbearance and show compassion to one another and display practical sympathy towards believers who are facing trials of faith. All these we do by visitation and fellowship, appropriate words of encouragement and exhortations, fervent prayers, financial and material assistance, wise counsel, godly rebuke, and any other show of unconditional love which may be appropriate to the situation.
The royal law is to love your neighbor as yourself. To comply with it is to make others feel the positive impact of God’s blessings through you.
QUESTION 4) WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS OF BELIVERS TO THOSE WHO MINISTER TO THEM? Gal. 6:6; 1Cor. 9:11-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; 1 Thess. 5:12-13
Under the Law of Moses, those who ministered in the temple had statutory provisions made for them from the tithes, first fruits, and other offerings of the people. This enabled them to concentrate on the duties of their offices as Levites and Priests. Under the New Testament dispensation, ministers of God are there to teach the Word and ways of God to the people. they are to stand in the gap through prayers. God has ordained it that their upkeep should come from their ministrations (1Cor. 9:13-14). Those who preach the gospel are to live from the gospel.
The Bible says in 1Thes. 5:12-13, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. …” Also Heb. 13:17 says , “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Furthermore, Gal. 6:6 says, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things”. As believers, we are to support our ministers in spiritual, emotional, and secular matters of life. We are to pray for them, identify with them in their challenges, and ensure that they share in our material blessings and prosperity.
QUESTION 5) WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ON THE BELIEVER?
Rom. 6:6-12; Gal. 6:14
The Cross of Christ speaks of love, grace, peace, mercy, humility, forgiveness, and reconciliation. All these were sown into our lives (as believers) by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross. God desires to reap these in our relationship with other people. there is no room for self-glory, pride, boasting, etc. as stated in Gal. 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Therefore, if we must glory, it must be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are privileged to be used as instruments in the hands of God to meet the needs of people, we are deliberately give all the glory to Him. In doing so, we will have our rewards from Him.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Everything we do in life, whether secular or spiritual, can be related to the principle of sowing and reaping. The love we display towards God and fellow men, the burden we bear in Christ and for man, the resources we put into the work of God and those we willingly share with others, are all seeds we are sowing, whose fruits we must reap in some measure and form later on.
We disdain and downplay the importance of the Cross when we become so engrossed in rituals of religion to the detriment of our faith in the grace of God. It is required of us to love the way of the Cross and the members of the body of Christ. Our ministers must receive our befitting attention just as we receive attention from them on spiritual matters.
MEMORY VERSE:
GALATIANS 6:7
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Handle correction with love and meekness.
1 Cor. 4:21
TUE: Let us not be weary in well-doing. 2 Thess. 3:13
WED: Esteem your Ministers. 1 Thess. 5:12-1
THU: Abide in Christ and let His words abide in you.
John 15:7
FRI: Love is practical. 1 John 3:17-18
SAT: I am not ashamed of the Cross of Christ. 1 Cor. 1:18