Sow Generously

​“You reap what you sow.”  This phrase is so true.  It is farming basics.  A farmer cannot expect a high yielding crop if he does not plant a grain.  Likewise, we cannot expect much in life if we do not invest ourselves in the people around us and in the opportunities God places in front of us.  You reap what you sow in all areas of life.

​This concept and metaphor has been around for a long time.  In fact, the first century Corinthians learned it when Paul wrote to them about giving generously to the collection for Jerusalem.  This is what he penned:   

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
~II Corinthians 9:6

​While Paul is referring to monetary giving, this truth applies to all areas of life.  Whatever we invest—whether money, gifts, time, energy, relationships—the harvest we reap will be in direct proportion to what we sow.  We cannot expect to accomplish great things if we are not willing to work hard towards our goals.  We cannot expect to have meaningful friendships if we are not willing to invest the time it takes to build and establish relationships.  We cannot expect to be used by God to grow His kingdom unless we are willing to sacrifice.
 
God values hard workers, and He rewards the faithful and diligent.  So if we want to be used by God in kingdom work, we must be ready to get to work sowing bountifully. 
 
But what does sowing bountifully look like?  What does it mean? 
 
I believe it means giving it everything you have, leaving it all on the field, and not holding back anything.  It means being all in and going the extra mile. 
 
If we’re sowing monetary gifts like the Corinthians had intended to, it means giving as we promised and giving generously.  If we’re sowing time and energy into relationships, it means not giving up on people and genuinely investing ourselves in their lives, upholding them in their struggles and supporting them in their time of need.  If we’re sowing our talents and gifts into a project or ministry, it means giving it everything we’ve got and not being complacent or half-hearted.   
 
“You reap what you sow.”  If we sow with a half-hearted effort and a minimalistic attitude, we’re going to reap a pitiful, if not non-existent, reward.  However, if we are all in and give God everything we’ve got, who knows what God will do?!  The sky is the limit, for with God nothing is impossible.
 
So what kind of sowing do you want to do?