Chimes, October 2024
Upcoming Events at Corvallis UMC
From The Pastor’s Pen
October, 2024
Sowing and Reaping Abundance Scripture:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." — 2 Corinthians 9:6
Right down the road is Swanson’s Orchard. I am told that their McIntosh apples are really good. I had the opportunity one evening as I was walking past the orchard, yes actually walking for exercise which is a challenge for me to make time to do or maybe I would rather hike!
Anyway, I met the manager and he was checking on the irrigation of the apple trees. Without his constant attention, our fall crop would not be abundant. I say “our” because the public can pick apples for only $1/pound. This is Not an advertisement but an illustration. (But I do plan to get my dollar ready! We all want the abundance of God.
According to 2 Corinthians 9:6 we have a part just like the orchard manager. We sow, water and in time, like our beautiful Montana fall harvest, we reap! We like to spiritually reap, but are we willing to put the necessary work in?
What work you may ask?
I am glad you asked. Prepare just as you would prepare a field to plant. Get the stumps, rocks, weeds out. You may think that is impossible.
Well for us it is but ask God and He will pull all obstacles our as we give the soil of our soul to Him. He makes poor hearts, poor soil in to fertile ground = good ground! Plant the good seed of the Word of God.
The Bible is like a sack of good seed. Don’t go cheap on the seed. You may get lots of weeds from the seed of this world. is filled with good seed, the scriptures. Read them and plant the Words of God into your mind. Ask God to water your life/field with His Spirit. Jesus says that He is the Living Water.
Pay attention to the weeds Satan throws into your field.
Pull them out with God’s Strength. We must do this because the weeds take up space and energy that could go to producing a fruitful harvest.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 daily as you wait for the harvest. You see we have a big part in the harvest.
We are to work generously and not be stingy. Here are some wise words I came across recently: God’s kingdom operates on the principle of sowing and reaping.
When we are generous with our time, talents, and resources, God promises to bless us abundantly in return. This doesn’t mean we give to get, but it reminds us that our generosity opens the door for God’s blessings to flow into our lives.
The more we trust God with what we have, the more He can entrust us with His blessings. Prayer: Lord, help me to be generous in all I do, trusting that You will provide abundantly for my every need. May my life be a reflection of Your giving heart.
Amen. Harvest 2Cor.9.06
