Secrets to Sowing and Reaping
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November 29, 2015 |
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Secrets to Sowing and Reaping
God wants to give His beloved children the blessings of soul's prosperity, everything going well, and maintaining health. But the justice of God says that we can reap only when we sow seeds. Even if we sow, we should know the right way to sow seeds. Then we can reap good fruit. Now, let's delve into the eight secrets to pleasing God and receiving His blessings.
1. We have to prepare good soil by circumcising our heart.
In order for us to reap whatever we sow, we have to sow with faith. Those who have greater faith will be able to harvest more crops. Here, God increases our faith to the extent that our heart is sanctified. The more we circumcise our heart and accomplish sanctification, the more spiritual faith we will have, and the more material blessings we will receive.
Therefore, we should circumcise our hearts first to receive the answers to our hearts' desires as well as to receive financial blessings. This is because when our souls prosper we can prosper in all respects and be in good health.
2. We should keep the Lord's Day holy and giving whole tithes.
Keeping the Lord's Day holy is acknowledging the spiritual authority of God. It is the minimum act of faith to prove that we are children of God who believe in Jesus Christ. To give tithes is the act of faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty in all material aspects of our lives.
God can bless us only when we ask with faith while acknowledging the sovereignty of God by keeping the Lord's Day holy and giving proper tithes. When Satan brings tests to us, God cannot protect us if we have not kept the Lord's Day holy and have not given whole tithes.
3. We should cast away greed and seek God's glory.
If we have greed, when we hear that we can gain income without working for it or we can get a great amount of money easily, it interests us. Acting in this way we are apt to be cheated by evil people (Matthew 6:24). We must throw away greed to enjoy ourselves on the earth, and we must also seek God's glory. We must not have a desire for anything that is not our own. We have to ask according to the law of justice by being led by the Spirit, and then not act in impatience. If we are over-motivated or if we want to do whatever is said to be good, it is our greed that blocks the voice of the Holy Spirit (James 4:2-3).
4. We have to walk the right way and act only with faithfulness.
When we live by the Word of God, walk the right way, and is faithful, God pays us back with blessings. However, even though we know much truth and pray a lot, God cannot bless us if we do not walk the right way. Those who are honest and faithful before people can also be found to be truthful before God, too.
In the church we must not exchange any money among the brothers in faith. The second thing is that you must not be a financial guarantor for anybody (Proverbs 6:1-5, 11:15, 22:26). In order to receive blessings and also to avoid calamities, I urge you not to become guarantors for anything.
5. You have to sow many seeds diligently in spirit.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 reads, "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
No matter how large a farmer's field is, he can reap only as much as he sows. You have to sow diligently in spirit, as well. Also, we should feel we've received blessings only when we sow much. We cannot say that we've sown much just because the amount is great. What God wants to receive from offerings is not the money but the aroma of the heart.
6. Our faith and deeds must not change.
What would happen if the farmer sows the seeds and stops caring for them or just digs up the field just because he doesn't see any fruit after a couple of months? All his previous efforts would be in vain. Some people sow and take care of it for some time but begin to complain if they do not get as much as they desired. If you just stop acting with faith and stop asking God, all your previous effort will be useless. If you sowed with faith and have stored up your deeds to please God, you have to wait until the end.
Next, if you decide to give to God something, you have to give it (Psalm 15:4; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). If you have not kept any of your vows, you must demolish the wall of sin by practicing the vows.
7. We must sow in the place where it is pleasing to God.
You have to sow according to the will of God. Helping the poor is a way to receive blessings, but if you help those who are being punished for the sins they committed, you will suffer with them. If you give reliefs or alms to those who have dissensions and unrighteousness due to works of Satan, God cannot give you blessings.
To receive blessings you must be sure to remember that you have to be wise and sow in places where it pleases God. If you give to groups or persons that please God, then God can give back to you with joy (Matthew 10:40-42; Galatians 6:6). If we prepare our vessels before God who wants to bless us greatly, He will give blessings with thirty, sixty, and a hundred times.
8. You have to be faithful to God's kingdom with longing for spiritual blessing.
This also means you have to be diligent in your life in faith all the time. God never forgets those who are faithful to the kingdom of God. Of course, if you are truly offering spiritual faithfulness, you don't just work physically. You worship in spirit and truth, and you pray fervently without ceasing.
When God sees such believers who love Him and are faithful to Him, He does not just receive their faithfulness. He also gives them blessings so they can also give glory to Him. But we should long for spiritual blessings more than financial blessings. Not one among us should become one of these foolish people who disappoint God by being blinded by the meaningless vanity of wealth.
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