When we talk of harvest, there is much excitement among us because it connotes blessings. It is the stage where we finally reap from what we have sown. However, whether we shall reap a good harvest or not depends on the seed we plant. We may not all take part in the harvest if we have not planted any seeds.
It must be understood that the harvest stage is the last part of the farming cycle. This is well illustrated in Jesus’ Parable of the Growing Seed. Jesus said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29). This parable unlocks the secret of having a blessed life, because blessing starts with what we have sown as a seed.
No farmer expects to reap a harvest if he had not done his part in sowing his seed. No one should ever say that he has no seed to plant. The fact is that in his faithfulness, God has provided us with two kinds of seed. He said through the Prophet Isaiah, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater…” (Isa. 55:10) Clearly, there is seed for eating and there is also seed for planting. God had to emphasize these two kinds of seed so that the cycle of sowing and reaping will not be disrupted. If we eat all our seed and not set aside a portion for sowing, we should expect nothing come harvest time. No wonder God has to command us to bring our tithe to the storehouse of the Lord to serve as our seed. In doing so, we are assured of a great harvest when he said, “Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it” (Mal. 3:10).
The principle of sowing and reaping will always govern our lives here on earth. We cannot always expect to receive the best of God’s blessings if we have not done our part. The tithe, being the good and designated seed, is the best assurance of blessings that we will fully enjoy. It is unlike other “blessings” that are accompanied by sorrow. God’s blessings bring joy. It is through the tithe that He rebukes the devourer of the joy in what we receive from him.
We are often discouraged by the fact that the seed does not germinate quickly enough. However, the germination of a seed is dependent on many factors. Some germinate quickly if the climate conditions are suitable. Others take time because of the hard shells, or any chemical coating. There is even a pine species that requires fire to scorch the cone for it to germinate. These conditions have spiritual significance. If the seed that is planted is the Word of God, the Word grows quickly and influences the life of the person when the environment he is living in is conducive for the Christian walk. Otherwise, it will take a longer time to grow because it has to weather any bad influences. There are those whose hearts are hardened and it takes a while for the Word to penetrate. And there are those who would rather go through fiery affliction before they grow in the faith. It is their affliction that will unlock faith in them and bring them closer to the Lord. Nevertheless, we all need to learn to wait for our seeds to grow at their appointed times.
But why do some believers not venture to sow their seed, whether it is the Word of God, or anything else where they want to reap a harvest? The Bible is full of examples where people simply refuse to act and sow their seed. In the Book of Proverbs we are told that “The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be murdered in the street!’” (Prov. 22:13) The real reason for not sowing the seed is not fear of what may come, but laziness. Fear is used as a flimsy reason for not going out to do the work. There is a season for everything, so when sowing season comes, we need to do the work regardless of any hindrances that may come our way. It is in our perseverance that we are assured of a harvest. Therefore, let us not be lazy so as to make all kinds of excuses not to sow our seed when it is planting season. King Solomon warned: “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (Eccl. 11:4). There is no perfect time for planting, but we have to do the work whether the weather seems perfect or not. Indeed, it is by sowing our good seed that we reap a bountiful harvest. Praise the Lord!
