HOMEGROUPS @ UUPC

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The Law of Sowing & Reaping

Stewardship Series

OPEN WITH A PRAYER

Galatians 6:7 tells us, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”.

We know that when we sow carrot seed we don’t get a crop of potatoes. God has designed plants to produce after their own kind, and He also said that the future seed would be within “itself” –read Genesis 1:11-12. In other words, everything reproduces and continues to reproduce according to the life which God has put into it. This is a basic principle of life –we are beginning to discover something about this code (DNA) which ensures reproduction of the same species.

It is clear however from the next verse of Galatians 6 that Paul is not talking about seeds and harvests –“The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” The principle applies to all of life!

v      Discuss this principle of sowing and reaping. Do you think that it is correct to say that it is a basic law of life?

v      There are times where cause and effect do not seem to prevail eg crime goes unpunished, good people get hurt, bad people get rich. Do you think that this disproves the principle?

Coming back to the analogy of seed and harvest, it is obvious that the purpose of sowing is to harvest. You don’t just sow because you have nothing better to do. You sow for the specific purpose of harvesting and when the harvest comes, and it will, you will reap it. By the same token you cannot expect a harvest if you have sowed no seed.

But the harvest is dependent on more than just the seed. There is the watering and the weeding, and the fertilizing and getting rid of the bugs. The seed, essential as it is, is just the beginning. (And it’s no good tending where there are no seeds!)

v      It would then seem that whatever we do in life is “seed”, and will bear a harvest of sorts. Discuss how the principle of sowing and harvest should then influence everything we do.

v      What can you do about seed that you have already sown and which you don’t want to reap eg an angry word.

This Law of sowing and reaping is more than just a philosophical and spiritual concept. It applies also to our giving of physical and monetary assistance. In Galatians 6 again it says, “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor” and “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” In our congregation we continually sow all the financial seed (and more) that comes in the form of tithes and offerings in anticipation of a great harvest of souls –we employ people, maintain our buildings and provide whatever is necessary to achieve this objective.

READ 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

v      Discuss the stewardship of resources at Upper Umgeni. Do you think that there are areas where we could be better stewards?

The 2 Corinthians reading suggested that if we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly and if we sow generously then we will reap generously. The context makes it very clear that it has to do with our giving. Seven years ago we spent a million rand on a new church and upgrading our other buildings. At the time we had only R 60 000 in the bank. Four years later we had fully paid for everything. The congregation believed in the harvest and contributed towards the seed. We’ve seen this harvest manifest in increased membership, improved attendance at worship services and especially in a deeper walk with the Lord for many in our congregation.

We continue to improve and extend our ministry as we “communicate the Gospel of Jesus in service of God, Each Other and the World.” We have expanded our involvement in Missions and Pastoral Care, increased feedback to the congregation through a comprehensive Pew Bulletin and extended the involvement of people in Homegroups. We keep sowing seed in anticipation of another harvest!  We know that unless the seed is sowed there will be no harvest. We also know that the more seed we sow, the greater will be the spiritual harvest as we sow into the lives of people.

v      Discuss how you feel about the seed sown at Upper Umgeni and the harvest that has been reaped.

v      Do you ever rejoice in the work of this congregation to which you belong?

v      What could you do to see even more of a harvest?

CLOSE IN PRAYER