Examining God’s Word
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly
shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6
Evaluating Our Garden
Bountiful lives are beautiful. They are fun and fulfilling. They bring joy and contentment. The provide security, self-confidence, and satisfaction. Most of us would choose to live bountifully over living depleted lives. Reaping the beauty of a fruitful harvest is something wonderful to pursue.
However, bountiful lives don’t just happen. They take a committed investment of time, resources, effort, and endurance. We can’t just sit back and wait for fruit to come. We have to sow, nurture, and maintain our crops every day.
That’s probably one of the hardest things to accept about harvesting. It’s easy to say, “We reap what we sow.” It’s another thing to make it happen. Especially, when life’s circumstances hinder our fruitfulness and we don’t see the results we desire.
Whether our harvest is hindered by storms, strife, or unexpected struggles, if we want to reap bountifully, we have to spend time sowing good seeds. No one said gardening was easy, but God said that if we sow, we will reap.
Experiencing Seasons
Sometimes, it’s hard for me to admit and adjust to the different seasons of life. I yearn daily to be productive and see fruit from my labors. Gardening is one thing I would like to be more fruitful at. I enjoy learning about plants and trying to grow things. I want to be a better gardener and love going outside and putting my hands in the soil.
However, this year, I know I have to hold back. I don’t have the resources or time to invest in more plants and will not be able to maintain more than I already have. Sowing more than I can manage would deplete my energy and resources. For this reason, I don’t expect to reap bountifully from my gardens when I’m sowing sparingly.
Life is like this for all of us, in every area of our lives. Sometimes, we can sow bountifully, and at other times we have to limit our sowing. If we can’t manage what we have now, we don’t need to waste valuable time and efforts sowing more.
Embracing Solace
Most of us have more than we need to be comfortable, and still don’t feel our lives are bountiful. Could it be that we are sowing the wrong seeds and living overindulged, overwhelmed, and overextended lives?
Comfort often comes from knowing we’ve been good stewards of what our Creator has blessed us with. When we reap the fruit God wants us to harvest (Galatians 5:22-23), our lives will feel abundant.
Enjoying Simplicity
God’s plan is simple—sow bountifully, reap bountifully. Of course, that means sowing good, godly, seeds. Bad seeds equal bad fruit and who wants to harvest that?
Employing Solutions
Sowing bountifully will depend on how much time, resources, and effort we are able or willing to give to it. Look at what “bountifully” means:
BOUN’TIFULLY, adverb liberally; largely; in a bountiful manner.
(Webster’s Dictionary 1828)
By this definition we are to sow:
- Liberally (freely)
- Largely (abundantly)
If we want to reap bountifully in our physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, relational, professional, or material lives, we have to spend time sowing good seeds in those gardens. When we do, we will see God bless us with a beautiful and bountiful harvest.
Bring It Home
How is your garden growing this year? Are you sowing bountifully or sparingly?
Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC
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