Lessons of Life
79
so; he is cheating himself. The harvest of life is character, and it is this
that determines destiny, both for this life and for the life to come.
The harvest is a reproduction of the seed sown. Every seed yields
fruit after its kind. So it is with the traits of character we cherish. Self-
ishness, self-love, self-esteem, self-indulgence, reproduce themselves,
and the end is wretchedness and ruin. “He that soweth to his flesh
shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall
of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
Galatians 6:8
. Love, sympathy, and
kindness yield fruitage of blessing, a harvest that is imperishable.
In the harvest the seed is multiplied. A single grain of wheat,
increased by repeated sowings, would cover a whole land with golden
sheaves. So widespread may be the influence of a single life, of even a
single act.
What deeds of love the memory of that alabaster box broken for
Christ’s anointing has through the long centuries prompted! What
countless gifts that contribution, by a poor unnamed widow, of “two
mites, which make a farthing” (
Mark 12:42
), has brought to the
Saviour’s cause!
Life Through Death
The lesson of seed sowing teaches liberality. “He which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully.”
2 Corinthians 9:6
.
The Lord says, “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.”
Isaiah
32:20
. To sow beside all waters means to give wherever our help is
needed. This will not tend to poverty. “He which soweth bountifully
[110]
shall reap also bountifully.” By casting it away the sower multiplies
his seed. So by imparting we increase our blessings. God’s promise
assures a sufficiency, that we may continue to give.
More than this: as we impart the blessings of this life, gratitude in
the recipient prepares the heart to receive spiritual truth, and a harvest
is produced unto life everlasting.
By the casting of grain into the earth, the Saviour represents His
sacrifice for us. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die.”
He says, “it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
John 12:24
. Only through the sacrifice of Christ, the Seed, could fruit