Abundant Harvest

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

ABUNDANT HARVEST

Prov 20:4

4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

NIV

Sometimes it is fun to check with our scholars of old to see how they saw the scriptures within their time in history and the cultural values in which they lived. For example, their values concerning women were far before any women’s suffrage in the United States. They were a more agricultural society, however, urban life was one of a refined, gentleman’s life. Along with many other differences than we live today, it is not surprising their views on this proverb are all about the times of plowing, planting, harvesting and the weather.  But there has to be something more that for the word of God is for all people of all times. Some might use this proverb to support their gathering material wealth for themselves no matter the season, and thus have a harvest in later life. But that just flies in the face of the all the truths against that kind of thinking. This is about planting and harvesting. However, we neither plow, plant or harvest any crops, but we certainly might in two other aspects. First we would plow our own hearts, as we are the good soil.

Luke 8:11-15

11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

NIV

We plow our hearts and plant the word of God deep within and thus we produce a crop. This then would imply if we are sluggards in planting the word of God in our hearts, if we are always making some excuse why we do not have time to read and study the word, then we are not the good soil which produces a crop. We might well be that soil which is choked out by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, thus not maturing. When it comes to the word of God, the seed, we must be diligent in season plowing, and planting.

2 Tim 4:1-5

4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season ; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

NIV

Although this might be considered by some as only a charge by Paul to Timothy, it too is a charge by God to all believers. The sluggard is worried about the season, but we should be ready to harvest the word planting in our hearts, and share the message of salvation no matter the season.

This is the second aspect of not being a sluggard in regards to the word of God. If we have plowed our hearts and planted the word and it has grown in the good soil, we will produce a crop. We need to be plowing and planting the word God among the soil of the world, the unbelievers who need to have the seed planted within them. Once we plow and plant it is up to them as to what type of soil they are. But if we are sluggards in this area, it is certain we will never be able to harvest any souls for Jesus. If we are always looking for some reason, some excuse why we cannot plow and plant, then maybe we are this sluggard after all. So let us make sure we are not, let us first make sure we are plowing and planting in our own hearts and in the hearts of whoever we can. Then we will enjoy a great and abundant harvest.