SOWING AND REAPING

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-9 NKJ 
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: 
“He has dispersed abroad, 
He has given to the poor; 
His righteousness endures forever.” 

If you have been around The Ark Church for any length of time, you have heard these verses.  We had them on our first offering envelopes.  It may be the passage I go to most often regarding stewardship.  Sowing and reaping is such a vital part of life, from what we eat to the actions we are involved in.  One bible translation said that a man's harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows.  Well said.   

Give as you purpose in your heart.  This means not giving because you are pressured or to keep from feeling guilty.  Give with a cheerful heart.  God loves this type of giving, for He is the original cheerful giver.   

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you.  The grace abounding follows the act of sowing.  The end result of this grace coming toward you is that you are well supplied.  You have an abundance for every good work.  And taking care of your family is a good work.  Supporting the local church, world missions, those in need, all of these things are good works.  This is giving abroad and giving to the poor.  Sowing and reaping was established by our Heavenly Father not to take from us, but to help us fulfill His plans in our life and for His Kingdom.   

APPLICATION 

In June, we celebrated 25 years as a church with 25 days of blessing.  I reported to the church that we gave away over 190K.  Wrong words.  We sowed 190K into world missions, our community, and those in need.  These were good seeds that blessed many people.   

Now we believe grace is abounding towards us so that we will continue to have all sufficiency in all things and have an abundance for every good work.  If you are a part of giving to The Ark, you have a part in this harvest.  It's sowing and reaping, not just sowing.   

PRAYER 

Thank you, Father, that you established sowing and reaping in the earth.  As I cheerfully give, I am expecting to do even more in the future.