Plowing and Planting in Hope

By Charles R. Grisham

Text: I Corinthians 9:10 - "...For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope."

Between sowing and harvest a tremendous amount of work has to be done. Even when the land is idle (during the winter) there is an absolute need for the repairing of tools and machinery.

There's only so much strength in the soil. Different soils are good for different crops. For instance, Georgia's soil grows great peanuts, while North Dakota's soil produces bumper crops of wheat. Too often, the government pays farmers not to grow crops - to let the land be idle. Then, our land lies idle while China (or some other country,) sells us wheat (or whatever). They call this "land management."

What we each have is; time, talent, and treasure. No two people have the same amount of talent and/or treasure. But we all have the same amount of time. We are always planting something. The question is; What are we planting?

"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." (Proverbs 20:4) Note: See also Proverbs 6:9, 13:4, 15:19, 19:24, 21:25, 26:16.)

PAY ATTENTION!

If you think about it, we take time (actually "make" time,)

for whatever it is that we really want to do.

The LAW of SOWING and REAPING

Remember - whatever it is that you're planting, (sowing,) that's what you're going to reap. Corn comes from corn seed, apples from apple seeds, pumpkins from pumpkin seeds, etc.

• Pray for rain in its' due season.
• The farmer plants in hopes of the harvest.
• Make sure your seed is "certified" seed.
• Study, examine the soil before you begin... break it up... fertilize it.
• If I plant more "me" than I plant "Jesus" - I will reap more "me."
• Within the seed is the pattern (DNA) for the life that is to be.
• Be patient and you will see the fruit of your labors in generations to come (Galatians 6:8)
• God is looking for folks who won't give up in the heat, or drought, or flood, or cold, or whatever. (I Corinthians 3:6)
• Weeding is a hot, dirty, tedious, seemingly thankless task; but we need to be good with the hoe!
• Remember that the soil only has so much energy. If its energy is used up in weeds, there's less energy for the good seed to grow.
• Without a regenerated heart, you cannot recognize the weed or the weed planter. And like crabgrass, once allowed to grow, it will take over and choke out the good stuff.
• A regenerated heart recognizes the good!.

 REMEMBER!

The increase is the project of God. The Lord's work cannot be done in our own strength. Building for eternity requires the cooperation of both partners.

"And you shall reap just what you sow,

For the things you plant - are the things that grow;

God's Word shall stand for evermore,

And you will reap just what you sow!"