I Reap More Than I Sow

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 I read, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (NIV)

If a farmer goes out with a trailer load of beans and plants them in a barren field, what fruit does he expect to bear? Watermelon? Cucumbers? No, he’s going to get beans. He doesn’t doubt or question that outcome—because whatever is planted is what comes back.

This is the law of reproduction, and it applies to every single area of life—especially finances. Another way to explain the law of reproduction is this: I reap what I sow.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (NIV).

This can work either positively or negatively in life. If I’m planting seeds of kindness, people will be kind to me. If I forgive others, they will be forgiving of me. If I’m generous, people will show generosity to me.

But if I’m angry all the time, people will respond in anger. If I cheat others, others are going to cheat me. If I gossip about others, guess what? People are going to gossip about me.

The law of reproduction says that I reap what I sow. But the principle of multiplication says that I also always reap more than I sow. 

When I put one kernel of corn in the ground, I don’t get one kernel of corn back. I get a cornstalk with multiple ears on it and hundreds of kernels on each of those ears. This is the exponential power that God has established in the universe. I always get more out of it than I put into it.

If someone verbally attacks me, I never attack in return. Why? To keep from getting caught in the chain. If I say anything bad back, I’m going to reap more than I sowed. So I should choose to do the exact opposite of what they’ve done. Bless and pray for them. Why? Because that’s what I want to receive, and I always reap more than I sow. Proverbs 11:24 says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller” (The Message).

In summary, If a farmer goes out with a trailer load of beans and plants them he’s going to get beans. He doesn’t doubt or question that outcome—because whatever is planted is what comes back. This is the law of reproduction, and it applies to every single area of life. I will reap what I sow. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. I need to give what I have decided in my heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. This can work either positively or negatively. If I’m planting seeds of kindness, people will be kind to me. If I’m angry all the time, people will respond in anger. The law of reproduction says that I reap what I sow. But the principle of multiplication says that I also always reap more than I sow. When I put one kernel of corn in the ground, I don’t get one kernel of corn back. I get a cornstalk with multiple ears on it and hundreds of kernels. This is the exponential power that God has established in the universe. I always get more out of it than I put into it. If someone verbally attacks me, I should never attack in return. I do so to keep from getting caught in the chain. If I say anything bad back, I’m going to reap more than I sowed. So I should choose to do the exact opposite. Bless and pray for them. Because that’s what I want to receive, and I always reap more than I sow. The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller”.

God loves a cheerful giver and will always meet my needs. Having a giving attitude is more important than the amount that is given. God is pleased when I give generously and joyfully like him. Having difficulty in giving reflects ungratefulness to God. This principle of sowing and reaping applies to every area of life, not just money. Whatever I sow in life, I'll reap. If I sow with generosity, I'll reap generosity in my life. Amazingly enough, if I give it away, God will multiply it. I don't just reap what I sow, I'll always reap more. The way I get is by giving, not holding on.