TWICE SOWN SEED
In view of the various negative reports on the global economy, the first thing that comes into the rational mind is to reduce spending. For believers the temptations are varied, some are tempted to cut down on their giving, reduce financial commitments and some even go to the extent of reducing or stopping the payment of their tithe. Beloved, never allow yourself to get into this way of thinking. I know that the financial indices are not encouraging, but the word of God is sure, in the time of famine, thou shalt laugh. If that be the case, why do you want to operate on the worldly principle for definitely the principle of the world cannot deliver the promises of the word. If you go by the principles of the world, you get the results of the world – you get reduced income, decreased purchasing power, and reduced standard of living. However, if you stick to the principles of the word, then you get the results promised in the word – increase, promotion and fatness even in the time of famine.
In John 6, we read the account of a young boy who, though in the company of Jesus, found himself in the midst of insufficiency. Imagine the boy was in the midst of five thousand hungry men and he was the only one with a little meal that was probably his lunch. Put on your imagination, what do you think the rational man will do? If he was to follow the standard of the world, he should have hoarded the food so that no one will even know that he has anything because he faced the risk of being lynched in an attempt to share his lunch. If the boy had taken that position, he would have had the lunch alone and never enjoyed the privilege of being a blessing and much more of going home with 12 baskets.
Beloved, if there is any time we must learn to sow seeds, it is at a time like this because when you learn to sow seeds in the time of famine, you are sure to reap harvest and like you know the harvest is always more than the seed. One law that the Bible clearly stated that it cannot be overtaken or overruled is the law of sowing and reaping. Beloved, that word works all the time and of course your harvest will definitely be much more than the seed.
The wise man in Ecclesiastes looked at the various situations confronting man, realising the frustration that comes when the harvest seemed delayed gave this counsel: “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” Ecc. 11:6.
If you look at this story in John 6 again, you will see the principle of the twice sown seed. In verse 9 the boy sowed the five loaves and two fishes into the hands of Jesus in verse 5 and in verses 12 to 13, the five loaves and two fishes yielded a return of 12 baskets. What is the lesson here? Beloved, whenever there is continuous sowing, the reaping increases. I challenge you today, don’t be the final bus stop of God of God’s blessings. You are blessed to be a blessing. God is counting on you to show people the way to prosper. Keep sowing your seeds and be assured your harvest will not end; the times we are in are tough times for the world, but like I always say, this is the best time for the church because, the darker the night, the brighter the light. Your light will continue to shine. You will remain relevant to your world. God will make you an eternal excellency and a joy unto many generations. I bless you in Jesus’ name.
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service,
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop