Eat Seed Or Reap The Harvest

"You reap what you sow." How many times have we heard this? And what does sowing and reaping have to do with us? In our extreme post-industrial consumeristic society, do we even know what this means and how it relates to anything relevant? When most people think of this subject, usually one or two things come to mind (besides the Grim Reaper cartoons): God's judgment and proselytizing (the planting of "spiritual seeds").

Certainly, there are plenty of spiritual metaphors; this is what we hear in church every time these terms are used. Paul talks about "sowing to the spirit" and Jesus relates sowing seeds to the Kingdom of God. Bearing good fruit and the fruit of the Spirit are just extensions of this same metaphor so prevalent in the bible.

What is 'sowing and reaping', and how does it relate to wealth in our modern society?

Ever since Adam and Eve flailed in the Garden of Eden, they couldn't just pick food off the trees - but had to work for it. Since then, farming has been the primary means of sustenance for most of human civilization. So needless to say, this favorite parable subject of Jesus was a critical part of daily life at the time.

Sowing is the planting of the seeds in season, and then waiting until its time to gather or harvest of the mature grain crops, or reaping.

2 Corinthians 9:10 tells us, "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness."

As Genesis depicts, the seed comes from God. Sowing and harvesting is an integral part of God's natural system. When a seed is planted it provides fruit (grain/bread/life sustaining food/etc.), AND multiplies back even more seed to the farmer. Not only will the farmer's hard work in seeding be rewarded with a harvest of fruit, he will gain exponentially more seed with which he can plant more crop.

Now substitute "seed" with "money." The results are the same. If people take their seed-money and invest it (sow it one way or another), eventually it will grow and produce its own fruit. This of course will take time and patience, just as the farmer plants the seed in one season and the reaping takes place in another. Money can be made to work for the sower, and then be multiplied back. Sounds so simple.

Unfortunately, substituting "farmer" with "American Consumer" doesn't work so well. The average American Consumer likes to spend. This is like the farmer EATING his seed before he planted it. The only difference is that the farmer and his family would die if he did that. No seed, means no harvest and no growth. The farmer must plan ahead and be disciplined, while most Americans want to spend NOW.

No wonder so many Americans work sooo hard and sooo many hours, yet live 'hand to mouth'. They would rather eat their seed-money than make it work for them. But reaping always comes after planting the seed and waiting for it to grow.

If we keep eating our seed and don't have the foresight and discipline to produce a fruit in this world, how can we expect to grow spiritual fruit?

See the last post on Sowing and Reaping.

Pictures above are: 1. The Grim Reaper in cartoon. 2. Sowing seed in Old Testament times. 3. Farming in Roman New Testament times. 4. The American Consumer?

Contentment VS. Progression

Contentment is a key point for Paul the "love of money....root of evil" discourse in 1 Tim 6:10 (see last post).

Paul also says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Phil 4:11-12)

But if you are 'content', is it wrong to desire to progress? Are Contentment and Progression at odds with each other? A lot of today's youth groups and churches would lead Christians to believe so. But contentment is not an excuse to be lazy. Nor an excuse to be ignorant of money.

Contentment is the antonym of greed, the intense selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed. Contentment prevents one from avariciously coveting another's possessions. Jesus says to "Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12)

When we spend our money, its directly influenced by our personal level of contentment. Advertisers prey on our feeling of discontentment, that tells us that we need something to be happy. There's that cliche quote that says something like this: “Millions of Americans are buying things they don’t need, with money they don’t have, to impress people they don’t like!”

Being rich is a not sin, but the lust for being rich (greed, coveting, dissatisfaction) is the point at which sin enters in (1 Tim). Contentment is the single most important disposition for the proper use of money.

So what then what motivates you to Progress? And should you even strive to excel and progress? Of course! Competition and a pursuit of excellence is an integral part of the Bible. Here's just a few examples.

*I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:14)

*"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Col 3:23)

*"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1Cor 10:31)

* Peter talks about possessing good qualities in "increasing measure" so you are not ineffective and unproductive. (2 Pr 1:5-11)

*Jesus says "be perfect." - That will take some striving!

These verses are not just talking about some little piece of you that you can label "spiritual," yet forget the rest. They are talking about ALL of you and whatever you do. Try your hardest, not to accumulate things and satisfy your greed, but because it gives God glory. If you are working or making money "in His Name", you better do your best because you are representing Jesus.

*"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col 3:17)

In many circumstances in America you be rewarded for progressing and the pursuit excellence. If you try your best - at whatever it is - money and blessings often follow. Of course this is not always the case; there are always factors that are out of one's control. But, this is where one's level of contentment is directly tested. Paul was tested repeatedly, and he concluded that he was "content whatever the circumstances" whether in need or in plenty.

In the context of wealth, Contentment with Progression leads to the WISE making and spending of money.

Read the next post: Love of Money...Root of All Evil? Part 2

Sculptures: Rodin's Thinking Man is contemplating his level of contentment above.
During the Golden Age of Greek art, Discobolus pursues the excellence that led to the Olympics.