Who is a farmer?

A farmer is someone who operates a farm.

Season in a farmer’s life

A farmer has two seasons: seasons of tears and joy. The season of tears is seedtime, and the season of joy is harvest.

“He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6).

The character of a farmer

The farmer’s character is one of patience and endurance.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer WAITS for the precious fruit of the earth, WAITING PATIENTLY for it until it receives the early and latter rain”. (James 5:7).

The work of a farmer

The farmer we are going to look at in this study has two types of work: sowing and harvesting (Psalm 126:6); and has two seasons: seedtime and harvest (Genesis 8:22).

What is Farming?

Farming is the practice of cultivating the land and raising livestock. As long as the earth endures, farming will remain and thrive. “Seedtime and harvest shall not cease while there is still earth.” (Genesis 8:22).

Whatsoever Seeds

“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.””Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”. (Galatians 6:6–7, KJV)

From Galatians 6:6–7, we learn that everyone on Earth is a farmer. Everything you do is farming. Every discipline and occupation you are involved in is farming. Your actions toward yourself and others are seeds you are sowing, and in due time, you will receive a harvest. The words you speak are seeds you are sowing; in due season, you will receive the harvest. The gifts you give are seeds you are sowing; in due season, you will reap. Your silence and inaction are seeds you are sowing; in due time, you will reap. Keep in mind that the seed we plant is known as “whatsoever.” Whatsoever you sow, you will receive a harvest. Your life is what it is today because of the seeds you sowed yesterday. How your life will be tomorrow depends on the seeds you are sowing today. It doesn’t matter which seeds you are sowing. The seeds are “Whatsoever.” Whether they are good or bad/evil, they have the power to grow and produce a harvest. So if you have been sowing bad/evil seeds openly or in secret, be ready to receive a harvest openly. Whether you have been sowing good seeds secretly or openly, you will receive a harvest openly. Keep these two scriptures below in mind when you do anything. First, Proverbs 11:27 says, “He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil.” Here, there is a harvest of favor for him who earnestly sows good, and a harvest of trouble for him who sows evil. And second, Ecclesiastes 12:14; the Bible says, “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Here, you must keep in mind that everything you do will be brought into judgment by God, the righteous judge.

In Galatians 6:7, the seed that we, as farmers, sow is known as “WHATSOEVER.” Whatsoever means “one or some or every or all without specifications.” Whatsoever includes wind (Hosea 8:7). For if you plant wind, you reap a whirlwind. When you plant seeds known as whatsoever, you will reap a harvest known as whatsoever. For the Bible says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7 KJV) All seeds, whether gift seeds, actions, words, or any other things you do or may be involved in, are included in this seed known as “WHATSOEVER.”

In Galatians 6:8, the Bible presents two types of soil for you, as a farmer, to sow. The first is the flesh, while the second is the Spirit. “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.” (Galatians 6:8).

The style of planting is broadcasting. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:9).

“Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days”.

“Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth….” “In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.” (Ecclesiastes 11:12,6).

When to plant: As we or you have the opportunity. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10). As you are taught in the word, let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. (Galatians 6:6). This is why, even when ministers of the gospel preach or share the word on air through television, radio, internet, or any other social media platforms, they ask for or collect offerings. They have taught you the word; share with them your good things.

As you purpose in your heart, don’t fall prey to the manipulation that is happening in the area of giving. You, as an individual, should always determine in your heart what to give. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” ( 2 Corinthians 9:7). This verse puts an end to the manipulation of giving. Don’t manipulate people into giving; teach them instead. Be an example and allow them to give from the purpose in their heart.

Always.

Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.” “Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth….” In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.” (Ecclesiastes 11:12,6).

As the Lord leads you.

“Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 . “Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:12).

Your first fruits are seeds; sow them. “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;” 10. “So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9–10).

When tithing.

“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD”. (Leviticus 27:30).

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10).

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.” 19. “And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20. “And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.” (Genesis 14:18–20).

When lending to the Lord.

“He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.” (Proverbs 19:17).

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

2 Corinthians 9:7 shows us how to sow our seeds. So, purpose your seed as you wish. For God loves a cheerful giver. In other words, when you are coerced or manipulated to give, this is not giving as you intended. Thus, you are not giving cheerfully; God hates this.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

2 Corinthians 9:6 provides insight into the levels of sowing: one is referred to as sparingly, and the other as bountifully. Each level yields its own distinct harvest.

The Bible refers to the harvest season in two ways.

• Due season: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9).
• Many days: “Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1).

The Bible presents four types of harvest. The seed you sow can produce one or more of these four harvests. The four harvests we receive from the seeds we sow include:

• You sow to the flesh; you reap or harvest corruption. “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, ……” (Galatians 6:8).
• You sow to the Spirit; you reap eternal life. “…….. but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:8).
• You sow sparingly, you reap or harvest sparingly. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, ….” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
• You sow bountifully; you reap or harvest bountifully. “But this I say: ……… he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

When does God accept your seed? Your seeds are accepted by God when there is first a willing mind. But now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12. for if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. (2 Corinthians 8:11–12).

What occurs when God accepts your seed?

• You share in his grace. “But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also….” 9. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:7,9).
• You have sufficiency in all things and abound in every good work. 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. (2 Corinthians 9:8).
• Your righteousness remains forever. “As it is written: ‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’” (2 Corinthians 9:9).
• God multiplies the seed you have sown and increases the fruits of your righteousness. “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, (2 Corinthians 9:10).
• You will be enriched in everything to abundance. “While you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God”. (2 Corinthians 9:11).
• You offer thanks to God. “For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12)
• People glorify God, and you stir prayer to God for yourself. “While, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,”14. “and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.” (2 Corinthians 9:13–14).
• Your seeds speak on behalf of your generation long after you are dead. “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks”. (Hebrews 11:4).”Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! ( 2 Corinthians 9:15).
• God bestows a blessing upon you. “And said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son — “ 17 . “blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. (Genesis 22:16 17).

Contributor: By Pastor Gilbert Magomere Ayieko