(2 Cor 9:6 NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

From everything we see in the word of God we are to be compared to farmers.

We are like workers in the vineyard.

Each of us is to be responsible for the cultivation that takes place in our own lives and in the life of the church.

(1 Cor 3:9 NIV) For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

Laborers together in this work.

Where do you get seed from?

You get seed from the harvest!

Look at corn…when you eat it you are eating seed as well as everything else.

The same goes for grapes, wheat, potatoes, apples, every kind of harvest contains the seeds for the next harvest!

It used to be that you couldn’t go to the store and buy seed…you had to glean it from your harvest.

That meant that you had to put aside part of the harvest or you would have nothing to eat next year. Some may have seen it as a waist but the wise set it back gladly.

Seed that is never planted never produces any kind of harvest.

Let’s call it "Investing in the Harvest"!

• Corn grows from seeds!
  

Some people might say "I am having crop failure"!

Could it be true that instead they are having planting failure.

The only prayers that are answered are the ones that get prayed!

If nothing is planted nothing is harvested.

SELF?

Think about your prayer life…If and when you pray…how much of your prayer do you consume upon yourself…how much are you investing in the lives of others and this ministry?

Only a fool would expect a harvest from an empty field!

As the people of God so many times we plant nothing but expect everything!

This cannot be!

If God were to allow such a practice to be rewarded with a great harvest where would the Kingdom of God be today?

Full of greedy, slothful, people that would never give but always glut!

Our success absolutely depends upon our sowing and reaping.

(2 Cor 9:7 NIV) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:8 NIV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:9 NIV) As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." (2 Cor 9:10 NIV) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (2 Cor 9:11 NIV) You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Cor 9:12 NIV) This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. (2 Cor 9:13 NIV) Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. (2 Cor 9:14 NIV) And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. (2 Cor 9:15 NIV) Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Sowing and reaping is a principle that we must learn and understand.

If we fail to apply this Bible Principle to our lives we will always be barren and looking for someone else to give us to eat.

God wants us to be givers and not takers.

Givers – sowers!

Takers – Seed eaters

If you look at a church or a life and nothing is happening it is one of two simple things!

1. NO seed planted!
2. Not harvest time yet!

God will not be mocked!

Examples:

• If you are not planting seeds of the Word in your children…don’t expect a crop of godliness.
  
• If all you ever do is pray for you and yours I am not so sure you will see many answered prayers.
  
• If every hour of your life is consumed upon you then you shouldn’t wonder why you struggle with being a sold out Christian.
• If you never plant seeds of evangelism you should never expect anyone to be saved. There is no seed!!!
  
• If you have never tithed your tears your seed is most likely dried up in the ground.

If we violate the principles of God we should not expect the blessings of God!

(Job 4:8 KJV) Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

• The only revival seeds that will come up are the ones we plant.
  
• The only effective ministry that we will have is the one we plant seed into.

(Psa 126:1 KJV) A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. (Psa 126:2 KJV) Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. (Psa 126:3 KJV) The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. (Psa 126:4 KJV) Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. (Psa 126:5 KJV) They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. (Psa 126:6 KJV) He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

(Hosea 10:12 KJV) Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

(Amos 9:13-15 NIV) "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills. {14} I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. {15} I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.

(Lev 23:9 KJV) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (Lev 23:10 KJV) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: (Lev 23:11 KJV) And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Seed areas!

• Finances.
  
• Prayer.
  
• Time.
  
• Witnessing.
  
• Lifestyle.