Galatians 6:7-10 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  NKJV

In talking to some I have discovered they do not believe we can have or should expect a harvest in this life.  They relegate all blessings to the next life or eternity.  I am convinced there is not one person among us who does not need, want or desire a harvest in some area of their life. 

That harvest may be financial, in matters of faith, regarding family or relationships, or direction in life.  If we are honest, all of us have some area in our lives where the outcome of the harvest is a major factor in the present as well as the future.  I would also suggest that a Harvest is coming because we have all been sowing seeds of some kind.  That harvest may be good or bad depending on the seed we have sown.

Based on that knowledge and reality, it is tremendously important that we understand harvest.  In the natural, there are laws that operate on every principle.  Therefore, it makes sense that there must be laws concerning harvest in the spiritual and directly impacts believers. 

I have learned that these Laws of Harvest are universal affecting believers and unbelievers alike.  Yet, the believer has even greater promise and hope.  In fact, the Bible declares that for the heirs, the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22).  So, I would like to take a little time and highlight some of the principles of God’s Laws of Harvest and how they affect you and me.  Hopefully, the brief mention of them will inspire in your heart a desire and hunger to dig more deeply and discover the truths therein for you.

• Seed Must Be Sown Before You Can Have A Harvest.

John 12:24 – “…except a grain of wheat falls into the ground… it abides alone…”  The seed [act, deed, money, etc.] has to be placed in the ground [sown or planted] before there can be any prospect or hope of Harvest.  No Sowing, No Reaping!

• The Sown Seed Must Be Rendered Useless.

John 12:24 applies here as well.  The seed [act, deed, money, etc.] enters into a state of uselessness to the sower.  He cannot eat it or otherwise use it.  That seed DIES and once it dies the process of multiplication begins but it only begins once it leaves your control.

• The Seed Must Be Sown To Determine The Type Of Harvest.

Genesis 1:12 – “…herb yield seed after his kind.”  What you plant determines what you harvest.  You do not plant peas and get corn.

• The Size Of The Harvest Is Determined At The Time Of Planting.

2 Corinthians 9:6 TLB – “…a farmer who plants just a few seed will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.”  You do not wait until the Day of Harvest to determine what the harvest will be, that is done at the time of planting.  I would suggest that abundance is preferred to a shortage in a good harvest so that should be our rule of sowing.  Psalm 35:27, “…let the Lord be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of His servants.”

• The Seed Must Be Sown In Good Soil.

Matthew 13:8 – “…other (seed) fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold.”  It is only Good Ground that produces a good harvest naturally, therefore only Good Ground will produce a good harvest spiritually. 

A passage that has inspired and challenged me for years is Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  The key is IT.  Whatever you give that is what you harvest it is the IT Factor of Harvest.

• Harvest Is Always AFTER or LATER Than Sowing.

Mark 4:26-27 addresses this and virtually the only instant harvest in life is sowing a Big Smile which often produces an immediate harvest.  Virtually all other harvests take time.  Patience is an absolute requirement.  You can dig up the seed to see what is happening with it.  You plant it and leave it planted.  It is in Due Season we reap.

• The Crop Must Be Cared For To Have A Full Harvest.

Matthew 13:7 addresses this by identifying the possibility of thorns choking out the good seed or plants and destroying the harvest.  You cannot leave your seed unprotected in a hostile environment and expect a harvest.  The insects, birds, weeds, drought, etc. will attempt to destroy your harvest.  Matthew 6:33 gives us a pathway to harvesting in instructing us to Seek First God and His Kingdom.

• The Sowing Must Always Be To The Harvest Size Rather Than From The Harvest Size.

You sow to your desired harvest!

1. Expenses Are Always Greatest At Harvest Time.
2. A Portion Of Every Harvest Is For Future Sowing Not Eating.  [You never want a one-time harvest of good things.]
3. A Portion of Every Harvest Is For Eating Or Personal Consumption.
4. Every Harvest Is A Miracle.

2 Corinthians 9:8 – “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.”

Let me conclude this long devotional with these thoughts.  The type of Harvest is determined by the type of Seed.  The size of the Harvest is determined by the number of Seed sown. The fullness of the Harvest is determined by the care of the Crop in the growing process. 

We Reap WHAT is sown.  We Reap LATER than the sowing.  We Reap MORE than has been sown.  Just know that there is a Harvest coming and what you sow determines the type of harvest. 

God bless you as you go through this beautiful day in Him.