The Laws of the Harvest

The Bible says God multiplies money in the same way He multiplies the farmer's seed.

. . . remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.

2 Corinthians 9:6, TLB

In this verse, the Apostle Paul says the amount of seed we plant directly affects the size of our harvest.

No one questions that seed time and harvest works on the farm. However, it is evident that Paul's purpose is not to teach about agriculture, but to show Christians how to multiply their money. He shows us a direct parallel between giving money into the gospel and planting agricultural seed into the ground. Because of this parallel, it becomes important for us to have a basic understanding of farming.

When I first began to see the biblical revelation of multiplying money, I knew very little about farming. I had grown up in the city, and my lack of basic farm knowledge was a constant hindrance to me when it came to finances.

Most Christians face this same problem. While we live in the age of astronauts, computers, and greatly advanced technology, our Bible was written in the language of the farmer.

Do not misunderstand. I am not saying the Bible is obsolete. It still gives the answers to your every need. People in the high-tech age still eat food that comes from the farm. They continue to be born in the same way the first farmer (Cain) was born. They still face the same basic problems that every culture and civilization has faced.

Whether it's salvation, child-rearing, basic living, or paying this month's bills— your Bible contains the answers to all of life's challenges. The problem is that many believers do not have command of enough farm knowledge to fully understand the solutions the Word of God gives us.

God’s Principles Do Not Change

Just because we are ignorant of God's laws does not mean they do not exist. For example, let's suppose you are ignorant of the law of gravity. Does that mean it does not exist? Of course not. If you step off the top floor of the Empire State Building, your ignorance of God's law of gravity will not excuse you from its consequences.

In that same way, the laws of the harvest exist, whether you know about them or not. If you understand them and use them, they will produce a harvest in your life. However, if you are ignorant of them or ignore them, they will operate against you, leaving you in shortage. So, let's begin to explore God's laws of the harvest.

Law 1 You Must Plant Your Seed

... Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground ... it abideth alone....

John 12:24

Jesus gives us the first law in this verse. He says if a seed does not fall into the ground, it cannot bring forth a harvest.

Unfortunately, many Christians live their entire lives without understanding that giving finances is absolutely essential to receiving finances from God. No matter how fertile the soil or excellent the ministry, if you don't plant the seed, it will abide alone. Your gift cannot multiply into a harvest unless you give it away.

Please understand that unplanted seeds (natural ones) can be useful. You can eat them or use mem to feed livestock. However, you must plant your seed before it can multiply. This law applies to any natural seed (wheat, corn, soybeans, etc.), as well as financial seed.

It does not matter how great your need is or how sincere you are. If you want to experience a financial harvest, you must comply with God's number one law of the harvest. You must plant your seed.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38

I want you to notice that this verse begins with a simple condition—you must first give, or plant something.

This same law is true in the world's financial system. Unless you make an investment, no financial institution is going to pay interest. No matter how high the rate may be, they will not pay interest unless you have made a deposit.

Now here is the good news! God is far more generous than any bank. However, in the same way, the Lord requires a deposit before He will release your increase.

Make no mistake about it. You must plant your seed before any increase can take place. Allow this first law to sink deep into your spirit. This is step one toward your abundant harvest.

... Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground ... it abideth alone....

John 12:24

Law 2 You Must Render Your Seed Useless

... Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit John 12:24

Christians often make the mistake of giving with strings attached. In other words, they have some secondary personal benefit in mind.

King David was once faced with this opportunity. Because the place where he was making his sacrifice was far from home, it became necessary for David to buy sacrificial animals from a local ruler. The man very graciously offered to supply David with the animals free of charge. David quickly rejected this gift, because he did not want to sacrifice to God that which had cost him nothing.

. . . neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing....

2 Samuel 24:24

David knew an offering which cost him nothing would bring him no increase from God.

I constantly meet people who are ignorant of this important principle. They give only if it doesn't cost them anything, or if they will receive some secondary benefit. Jesus taught that your seed must become of no use to you before God will multiply it back.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

John 12:24

Unfortunately, too many Christians do not allow their seed to become useless. For example, some people purchase books or tapes thinking they are going to reap a financial harvest from the money they paid for these items. It doesn't work that way.

Purchasing something is not the same as giving an offering.

A farmer cannot plant beans, dig them up and make bean soup out of them, and still have a bean harvest. In that same way, you must plant your seed without any strings attached. You must allow your seed to die. This is the second step toward your harvest.

... Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

John 12:24

Law 3 You Must Plant What You Expect to Harvest

... the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind....

Genesis 1:12

I have heard that the biggest fool is the one who fools himself. God warns us not to make fools of ourselves in sowing and reaping.

Be not deceived [fooled]; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,

Galatians 6:7

Everyone knows apple seeds bring forth an apple harvest and peach seeds bring forth a harvest of peaches. Seeds produce a harvest after their own kind. It has always been this way, and it will never change. The seed you plant always determines the kind of harvest you reap.

I cannot stress this point too strongly. It is not the kind of harvest you need that determines the kind of harvest you will receive. It is the kind of seed you plant. Don't fool yourself.

Give, and it [that which you have given] shall be given unto you....

Luke 6:38

Notice the word it in this verse. It is a powerful word. Let me paraphrase verse 38 to show just how big this word really is.

Give apples, and it (apples) will be given to you. Give clothing, and it (clothing) will be given to you. Give money, and it (money) will be given to you.

Now read verse 38 this way: Give money, and it (money) will be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men pour money into your bosom. For with the same measure that you give money, it (money) will be given back to you!

Please don't fool yourself. If you expect to receive a financial harvest from God, you must plant some money seeds into the work of God. This is the third law of the harvest.

... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:7

Law 4 You Establish Your Harvest Size When You Sow Your Seed

. . . remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.

2 Corinthians 9:6, TLB

No matter how convenient it would be, you cannot wait until the day you reap to decide how large your harvest needs to be. You will determine your harvest size on the day you plant your seed. Before you sow, you must decide if you want your increase to be bountiful or just scant.

It is much easier to adjust to the problem of having more than enough than it is to adjust to the problem of having too little. Wise farmers always plant more than they think they will need, because it is easier to deal with too much harvest than too little!

I have heard Christian people say they do not need to give much to God, because they do not need much to be happy. By some misguided notion, they reason it is spiritual to desire only a small amount. Ignorance of God's purpose, not humility, brings people to this unscriptural conclusion.

You will never be the blessing God has called you to be if you walk in insufficiency or barely enough. To be a blessing, you need more than enough. I realize that is a strong statement. However, when you have only just enough, you fall short of having the supply you need to fulfill the covenant God made with you through Abraham.

... if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:29

Now hear what God promised the world that you (the seed of Abraham) would do for them!

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 12:2-3

God called you to be a blessing! Now think about it. How are you going to be a blessing to all the families of the world, unless you have received abundant blessings? How can you possibly feed and clothe others if you have only enough to feed and clothe yourself?

God wants abundance in your life so that you can not only meet all your own needs, but cheerfully bless and meet the needs of others. It is not possible to be a blessing to the entire world unless you have planted much so that you can reap much.

Now is the time to make a quality decision. Determine the size harvest you must reap. Then begin planting the abundant amount of seed you need to produce your desired harvest size.

... remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.

2 Corinthians 9:6, TLB

Law 5 You Must Plant Your Seed in Good Ground

But other [seed] fell into good ground, and brought forth . . . some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Matthew 13:8

The story of the sower planting his seed in four different kinds of ground is well known. Seed spilled along the wayside is soon eaten by the birds. Seed sown in stony ground with no depth of soil springs up, but soon withers. Seed sown among weeds becomes unfruitful. However, seed sown into good ground brings forth a miracle process of multiplication called "harvest." Harvest comes forth hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.

I thank God for every good gospel-preaching ministry and every local church in the world today. However, not all ministries preach and teach the full gospel. So remember, only the financial seed you plant into good ground produces an abundant harvest.

How do you recognize good ground? First of all, do not be afraid to investigate. A good-ground ministry will not mind answering legitimate questions.

Also keep in mind, there is an unmistakable characteristic in every good-ground ministry. The leadership will vigorously attempt to accomplish the specific purpose God has given them.

Third, God has given you an unction.

... ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1 John 2:20

With your God-given unction, you should be able to discern good ground. Never give to a ministry or church if you do not feel a deep inner peace.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts....

Colossians 3:15

When you discover a good-ground ministry, plant into it, believing you will reap a large harvest from the seed you sow. Remember, only good ground will produce a harvest!

But other [seed] fell into good ground, and brought forth . . . some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Matthew 13:8

Law 6 You Must Always Wait a Period of Time Between Planting and Harvesting

... a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up....

Mark 4:26,27

Everyone knows faith is a key factor in reaping a financial harvest. However, there is another, equally important factor in bringing forth your harvest. It is called "patience." The Bible says we receive God's promises through both faith and patience.

... be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:12

Financial increase through seed time and harvest is one of God's promises. So you need patience, as well as faith, to receive your increase.

We have all heard people say, "Cast your bread upon the water, and it will come back to you again." While this gives the essence of giving and receiving, it leaves out one of the fundamental necessities to receiving a harvest. Giving is essential, but you must also have patience. The verse actually says,

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Ecclesiastes 11:1

It is important to know there is always a season between planting and reaping. When you cast your bread (sow your seed), it will come back to you, but it returns only after many days. It is the mature fruit of patience that helps us through this season of waiting.

... ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Hebrews 10:36

A lack of patience will cancel your harvest. This truth is not restricted to the spiritual realm. You also need patience in the world's system of finance. For instance, if you invest in a Certificate of Deposit (CD), you receive the promise of increase at the end of a specified time period. However, if you withdraw your money early, you lose a significant portion of your initial investment, as well as the interest you could have earned.

This truth is paralleled in the supernatural realm. After you have planted your money seed into the ministry, it is easy to cancel your harvest with impatience. If you allow impatience to cause you to start muttering such things as "Seed time and harvest isn't working for me," or "I don't think God is going to come through this time," you have canceled the harvest. Remember, God's Word reveals that you will have what you say.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain,

Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:23

Keep in mind that your words are extremely powerful in the supernatural realm. Words of faith or words of doubt will quickly change the outcome of your harvest. Christians have missed many financial harvests by simply speaking them out of existence through impatience.

Keep your faith active. Be patient. Your harvest is on the way!

... let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

Law 7 You Must Maintain Your Crops for a Proper Harvest

.. . the thorns sprung up, and choked them.

Matthew 13:7

A farmer selects his crops, decides the amount of seed to plant, plants it, and waits patiently for it to sprout. Then he doesn't just sit back and wait for the harvest. He carefully nurtures and protects the crop. Insects, weeds, and vermin can destroy it. So the farmer must be on the offensive to eliminate anything that will minimize the harvest. He must also provide the proper amounts of water and nutrients.

For a successful financial harvest, you must provide four areas of crop maintenance.

1.    You must tithe.

... [see] if I will not open you the windows of heaven....

Malachi 3:10

There can be no harvest in either the natural realm or the supernatural realm without an open heaven. A closed heaven stops all increase.

2.    You must put God and a godly lifestyle first.

. . . seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

Seeking first the Kingdom of God is the process of actively pursuing the rulership of Jesus Christ in your life. Seeking the righteousness of God is nothing short of pressing toward sanctification (constantly becoming more like Jesus).

3. You must commit yourself to world evangelism.

... I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 12:2-3

God promises the power to prosper to those who are committed to establishing His covenant of blessing.

. . . thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant....

Deuteronomy 8:18

You must commit yourself to being a blessing through sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting the needs of the lost, hungry, naked, and the homeless.

4. You must discern deception.

The devil has three methods of attack; he tries to tempt, accuse, and deceive. The most powerful of these is his ability to deceive. Deception is devastating! In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:22, we see that the deceitfulness (deception) of riches causes men to become unfruitful.

You must take great care when your financial harvest begins. Don't allow the devil to deceive you with the increase of your wealth. I cannot overemphasize the following statement. When riches begin to increase, you must not lavish the increase solely upon yourself. This temptation is a real danger zone in your journey to God's abundant supply.

The Bible tells us that avarice (the worship of self with material things) is a sure way to stop the flow of God's blessings.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:3

Don't be deceived by the sudden influx of wealth. Deception will stop the harvest process.

Your harvest depends upon an open heaven, a godly life, generous giving, and staying alert for Satan's deceptions.

... every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1 Corinthians 3:8

Law 8 Always Sow to Your Harvest Size, Not From Your Harvest Size

... Isaac sowed in that land [of famine], and received in the same year an hundredfold....

Genesis 26:12

A fanner usually has to make his largest and most costly seed purchase when he can least afford it. This happens when he faces a great need. When money is tight, the urge to conserve is great. However, in times of shortage, the farmer must plant more so his harvest will be large enough to meet his increased need.

Unfortunately, many Christians don't know this basic law of agriculture. They tend to sow from their past harvest instead of sowing to their coming harvest. If their previous harvest was large, they give larger offerings. If their previous harvest was small, they give smaller offerings.

There are people in every church who allow their shortage or pending circumstances to influence their giving. Rumors of factories closing or other economic crises usually cause the church offerings to go down. However, every farmer knows he must sow according to the size harvest he desires instead of sowing according to his present shortage.

The fact that you are facing economic shortage is a witness to the insufficiency of your past sowing and reaping. Remember, your natural tendency is to give according to your financial shortage, but that won't solve your problem; it will only prolong and intensify it.

If your past harvests have been insufficient for you and the work God has asked you to do, you probably have not been planting enough. If you want to have more and be able to do even more of God's work, you must start planting more than before. Remember, God's Word says when you give more, you will reap more!

But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.

2 Corinthians 9:6 TLB

Law 9 Your Expense Is Always Highest at Harvest Time

... the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man ... which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.

Matthew 20:1

By now you have learned there are many steps a farmer must take before he can experience a harvest. He must plant his seed. He must plant in the good ground. He must care for his crops as they grow. As costly as all these steps may be, they are not the most expensive he will have to take if he expects a harvest.

On the day the crop is ripe, the farmer must hire laborers to do the reaping. The farmer always incurs a substantial cost just before he realizes his harvest.

The same thing is true with financial harvest. While it may not be so easy to identify as hiring laborers, you will have an additional expense before you can gather your financial harvest. You must give a special, harvest-release offering when you sense your financial harvest is ripe and ready to reap.

If you have sown and have not yet received your harvest, ask God how much you must give as a special, harvest-release offering. This seemingly difficult step is necessary for you in your spiritual harvest, just as it is necessary for a farmer in his agricultural harvest.

Don't forget that as a born-again Christian, God has supernaturally equipped you with an unction. It is the inner ability to know things. God speaks to Christians through this unction, allowing them to hear His instructions as to what He wants them to do and when He wants them to do it.

... ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1 John 2:20

Let this divine ability operate in you. God will tell you when it is time to make your harvest-release offering, and He will tell you exactly how much your offering should be. Give it into the good ground of a proper ministry, and believe God and His Word for the release of your harvest.

Law 10 A Part of Your Harvest Is for Sowing Again

... God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on, good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest.

2 Corinthians 9:10, TLB

Farmers know the most important part of each harvest is not the part you eat, but the part you set aside to plant. The miracle of the perpetual financial harvest depends on your replanting a portion of each harvest you receive.

You can enjoy the harvest over and over again as long as you have the wisdom to replant a portion each time. Yes, it is possible for you to keep harvesting until Jesus returns. Just remain faithful to this tenth law, by giving again from each harvest you reap.

Law 11 A Part Of Every Harvest Is Yours to Keep

... who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof?...

1 Corinthians 9:7

There are those who teach that Christians should have limited possessions. Regretfully, the mentality that permeates the Church of our day is that God wants His children to be poor. This totally unscriptural idea has left most church organizations at the edge of bankruptcy, and their members barely making it from payday to payday.

The Bible teaches something quite different. It says that God's children are to have all sufficiency in all things; enough to meet their every need and desire. However, it doesn't stop there. God's Word goes on to teach that we will have more than enough surplus to give generously to those who are in need.

God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.

2 Corinthians 9:8 TLB

God says He is able to make up to you everything you need and more. Notice this is not a promise to return only the amount you gave. It is a promise to multiply your offering back to you in such abundance that it will meet your every need and desire, plus an abundant surplus.

God invites you to eat your fill from the abundance of every harvest He brings forth from the seed you sow. Please do not draw back from enjoying your portion just because other people may misunderstand. The Lord desires that you live the good life. He wants you to have proper housing, warm clothing, nutritious food, dependable transportation, relaxing vacations, profitable investments, and a comfortable retirement.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness....

2 Peter 1:3

If you give according to the laws of the harvest and live a life consistent with God's Word, the Bible says you will reap. You are to use a part of each harvest for your needs and desires.

Cast down any evil imaginations that make you feel guilty about enjoying your rightful portion. You have been faithful to God and sown liberally into His gospel. Therefore, it is your portion to enjoy the fruit of your labor.

... every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13

Law 12 Your Harvest Is a Miracle

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6

No factory or laboratory will ever manufacture a seed that can reproduce itself into a harvest. Only God can make a seed that multiplies. Each and every seed is a miracle capsule that patiently awaits the proper conditions to reproduce itself in harvest proportions.

Always remember that when a harvest occurs, whether it's agricultural or financial, a miracle has taken place. Harvest always necessitates the intervention of God. There can be no harvest without Him.

Each time you give your financial seed, boldly pray in the Name of Jesus that it will bring forth an abundant harvest. Remember,

Jesus tells us to use His name when we desire anything from God.

... whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 15:16

I cannot overemphasize the need to ask for the blessing of God upon every financial seed you sow. Remember, God must act before your seed can multiply. Prayer is a necessary part of every financial harvest.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain,

Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire [your harvest], when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11:23-24

Every mountain of opposition you face, even the mountain of debt, must move when you exercise unwavering faith in God's Word and the power of His Name.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

You can better understand the word substance in this verse if you substitute the words raw material. Your faith in God to multiply your money back to you is the raw material that makes up your harvest.

Guard your heart against doubt, for it can cancel your harvest. Remember, faith is the doorway between the invisible and the visible realms. Your harvest will enter the visible realm through a miracle produced by your strong faith.

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