Sowing & Reaping – The 6 Laws

SEEDTIME & HARVEST – THE 6 LAWS

Let's review what we have learned so far

1. God wants to be first in your life, in all areas

Genesis 4:3-7 (AMP) 3 And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 4 But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile. 6 And the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed? 7 If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it."

2. We give by faith

Hebrews 11:4 (AMP) 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.

3. Our Giving Benefits Others

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (AMP) 10 Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. 12 For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God's people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

After the flood of Noah, God made a covenant with man

Genesis 8:22 (AMP) 22 "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease."

Main Text: Galatians 6:4-10 (AMP)

4 But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another.

A. Each One - Personal Accountability

B. Carefully scrutinize - Self-Examination

C. Actions, Attitudes, Behavior

D. Each believer is responsible for their own spiritual growth and actions

E. Avoiding Comparison - the only comparison you should be making is from the person you used to be and the person you are becoming

5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].

A. Choices, Decisions, and Consequences

Joshua 1:8 (AMP) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.

The Principle of Reciprocity

Galatians 6:6-8 (AMP) 6 The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].

A. The Principle of Reciprocity - Believers are encouraged to support their spiritual teachers materially and financially as an expression of gratitude and partnership in the Gospel.

B. M and M - Models and Mentors - Value of Spiritual Instruction - Recognize the importance of receiving sound teaching and the role of instructors in spiritual growth and maturity.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

A. The metaphor of sowing and reaping is a universal principle that applies to both physical and spiritual realms.

B. Whatever includes everything

8 For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 (MSG) 7-8 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

Key Point: In Response to God

God is in your tomorrow today, so God will prompt you to give today for the harvest you need tomorrow

STORY: Tire repair

We struggle with the prompt of God - The struggle is real

Romans 7:21-25 (NLT) 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

Keep an eternal perspective in mind, understanding that our choices have implications beyond this life. Sowing to the Spirit aligns with God's eternal purposes.

9 Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.

A. Believers are called to maintain their commitment to doing good, even when results are not immediately visible.

B. The Christian life is likened to a marathon rather than a sprint, requiring sustained effort and faithfulness.

10 So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

6 LAWS OF GIVING

Law 1: We Reap Only What Has Been Sown

Law 2: We Reap the Same In Kind As We Sow

Law 3: We Reap in a Different Season than We Sow

Law 4: We Reap More Than We Sow

Law 5: We Reap In Proportion to What We Sow

Law 6: We Reap the Full Harvest of the Good Only if We Persevere

Discussion Questions

1. Genesis 8:22 establishes that "seedtime and harvest...shall not cease." How does understanding that sowing and reaping is a divine principle (not just good advice) change the way you approach giving and living?
2. Galatians 6:4 says to "carefully scrutinize his own work" without "comparing himself to another." Why is comparison so dangerous to spiritual growth? How can we evaluate ourselves honestly without falling into comparison?
3. The notes emphasize that "the only comparison you should be making is from the person you used to be and the person you are becoming." How has this year's version of you improved from last year's version? What areas still need growth?
4. Verse 6 teaches supporting those who teach us spiritually (Models and Mentors). Who has invested in you spiritually? How can you reciprocate or pay it forward to the next generation?
5. "God is not mocked...whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap" (v. 7). How have you seen this law play out in your life—both positively and negatively?
6. Galatians 6:8 contrasts sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit. What does it look like practically to "sow to the Spirit" in daily decisions about time, money, relationships, and priorities?
7. The key point states: "God is in your tomorrow today, so God will prompt you to give today for the harvest you need tomorrow." When have you felt prompted by God to give or act, and later realized it was preparation for something you needed?
8. Romans 7:21-25 describes Paul's struggle to do right despite his sinful nature. How does understanding this internal war help us extend grace to ourselves and others when we fail to obey promptly?
9. Galatians 6:9 warns "let us not grow weary...for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in." What situation are you tempted to give up on? How can remembering the harvest keep you persevering?
10. Looking at the 6 Laws of Giving, which law is most encouraging to you? Which one is most challenging? Why?

Reflection on the 6 Laws

Law 1: We Reap Only What Has Been Sown

• You can't reap a harvest you never planted. What are you currently sowing?

Law 2: We Reap the Same In Kind As We Sow

• You reap what you sow—corn produces corn, not wheat. What kind of seed (attitudes, actions, words) are you planting?

Law 3: We Reap in a Different Season than We Sow

• There's always a gap between planting and harvest. Are you discouraged because you can't see immediate results?

Law 4: We Reap More Than We Sow

• One seed produces many. Small faithful actions multiply over time. What small seed can you plant today?

Law 5: We Reap In Proportion to What We Sow

• Generous sowing = generous reaping. Sparse sowing = sparse reaping. Are you sowing generously or cautiously?

Law 6: We Reap the Full Harvest of the Good Only if We Persevere

• Quitting before harvest means losing everything. What do you need to persevere in today?

Challenge

This Week: Identify one area where you need to sow differently (relationships, finances, health, spiritual growth). Plant one intentional seed this week and trust God for the harvest in His timing.

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