Truth Matters: Sowing and Reaping

By Ken Askew

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” ESV Acts 16:14

This week I spoke to a friend of mine who was burdened that not enough work was being done to influence his community with the gospel.  He was convicted by the passage in Matthew that calls Christians to be salt and light in the world.  Ironically, this same friend has influenced me tremendously over the years with his constant admonition to “think biblically.”  I know first hand that he has indeed influenced those people around him for Christ.  But sometimes, like a farmer, it can take a long and trying season before you can reap the fruits of your sowing.

I’ve shared this thought in this column before, but my friend’s burden has brought it to my mind anew, so I want to share it again.

Have you ever thought of the Apostle Paul as a farmer?  The mention of Paul’s name probably conjures up a lot of images, but the image of a farmer is probably not high on your list.  To think of him as an evangelist would certainly be valid.  So would that of a tent maker; but farmer?  Yes.

Think about it with me for a moment.  Prior to planting season, while the ground is still frozen, farmers are busy making plans as to what they will plant and where they will plant it.  This is the season of preparation.  Similarly, Paul had gone through a season of preparation as he learned the gospel and was led by the Holy Spirit to share it with the gentile nations.  Hence, Paul had a season of preparation; just like a farmer.

Next, comes planting (sowing) season.  The farmer carefully tills the soil and places the seeds in the ground with the hope that each one will take root and ultimately yield a bountiful crop at harvest.  Similarly, Paul sowed seeds by preaching the gospel in his mission field with hopes that the gospel would take root and that each hearer would ultimately bear fruit by trusting in Jesus for their salvation.

And finally, harvest time arrives.  Sometimes the harvest is bountiful, sometimes it is slim.  The results of the harvest are pretty much out of the farmer’s hands; assuming of course that he was diligent in preparing and sowing.  In the case of Lydia, the harvest was a bountiful; she believed the gospel.

I’m not certain who should be credited with this quote, but as a young adult I had a Sunday School teacher burn the definition of a successful Christian witness into my mind:  “Sharing Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God.”