Reaping..

what you have not sown.

I have read a number of prophecies about a great end time harvest of believers coming into the Kingdom of God. This post is not primarily about that but an encouragement to us as believers that there are many, many who have sown faithfully for the Kingdom of God who have not yet reaped or may not reap what they have sown in this lifetime but who will receive an eternal reward.

Jesus told His disciples the same and how blessed they were to be able to reap the harvest from the works done by others.

“And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labours” John 4.36-38

In our human nature it can be difficult to see others reap what they have not sown and enjoy the fruits of others’ hard work. I have seen it in the workplace and how it can lead to difficulties- division, resentment, bitterness, envy, frustration and anger.

We are to guard our hearts against such things in the body of Christ. God’s Kingdom is not of this world and recognising that we may be sowers and/or reapers or reapers in such seasons is to be lived out in a Kingdom way.

Reapers are to recognise with humility that they could be benefiting from others’ labours and the grace of God to reap the harvest. It will be necessary to avoid those sneaky traps of pride that can lead to a fall or talk of “super-spiritually” and the “right programmes” being the reason for the harvest.

May we, with God’s help, strive for unity and to preserve the bonds of love in such seasons and remember the words of Jesus so that “both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together”.

Have a blessed day my friends.