John 4:35-38 - The Work of Sowing and Reaping

John 4:35-38

"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." 

Message: The Work of Sowing and Reaping

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: After speaking to the Samaritan woman, the disciples arrive to Jesus, having gone off to get food, but Jesus remarks that the true food or the true sustenance of life is to do the will of God and accomplish His work. This reminds me of Matthew 4:4 and the first temptation that was presented to Jesus by the devil when he asks Jesus to "command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written (Deuteronomy 8:3), 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" This is how we truly live, on the Word of God. 

Jesus continues to expand on his words providing to the disciples the imagery of planting seed that will then be harvested. But as he has been doing thus far in explaining the truth of his message, he brings us to message of eternal life. Amazing to me how this continues to be the message John is presenting to us from Jesus. Jesus points the disciples to the fields remarking "they are white for harvest." 

The white fields seems to refer to a harvest crop of corn. Whether it is four months of harvest, Jesus' point is that there is a time period in which one waits for the harvest to reap, but the harvest of bringing people to eternal life, the harvest fields such as He saw from the Samaritan woman and her conversion and then spreading the news that resulted in many coming to Him to hear, this all speaks to a harvest that is ready to reap. There is a plentiful field of ripe corn. 

"He who reaps" is he who takes the time to labor in the Word to convert sinners "is receiving wages" meaning is receiving something infinitely more valuable than what man can give. Again, the parallel thought to the day in which we work and work and work and receive wages. Well, this is working that results in almost easy money. The reaping of the work is ripe for wages. "and is gathering fruit for life eternal." The fruit that is gathered in a harvest is for the benefit of many. It benefits myself and it benefits others. The salvation of people has a big effect on life, on others. Christ does a great work in the life of a converted soul, to the point that this soul will impact many. 

Fruit is really an interesting idea because fruit benefits me. As I enter into time of harvesting and bringing people to the knowledge and acceptance of eternal life, it yields a fruit that benefits many but also benefits me. Paul in Romans 1 mentions a desire to visit those in the Roman church and states, "And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also." There is fruit, personal rewards, in sharing the truth of the message of the Gospel with others. And we need this fruit, this food, this living water - to survive? I think it is not simply to survive but to flourish. 

It makes me also think of Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "More to this Life" with these lyrics:

And there's more to this life than living and dying

More than just trying to make it through the day

More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see

And there' s more than this life alone can be.

"he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together." There is joy together. 

And verse 38 concludes also that sowing and reaping is often done separate. One sows and one reaps. The body of Christ is working together, each with different gifts, and it results in some seeing the labor and some maybe involved in the labor but all work together. 'One sows, and another reaps.'

Summary: The one who sows and the one who reaps bears fruit, and the harvest is ripe, for seeing many arrive to life eternal. 

Promise: Even now, Christ is working through His church to plant spiritual seed and reap spiritual fruit, and all of us are called to participate in this work by exercising our gifts for the sake of the advance of the gospel.

Prayer: O God, what a joy you provide for us to enjoy the fruit of the gospel. Lord, is the harvest still ripe? Sometimes God it doesn't feel like it and yet, sometimes I am not sure if we are being clear in our presentation of You. Help me to navigate this and preach your Word in a clear way. If you deem me to be a laborer, I am content with this. If I can reap, thank you for this. Be glorified. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Working While We Can

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

Message: Working While We Can

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C

What the Lord is Saying: The previous verse spoke of the need to enjoy life, specifically, with your wife. What follows here is the admonition to work and work with all of your might. The pronouncement upon life is clear -- enjoy time with your wife and those that are your family, but work, and do it with all of your might. But, I need to remember, this doesn't mean that work is to take over my life. Yes, I need to work hard, but in this day and age that I live in, 40 hours a week is what is expected of me and what I need to do is make sure that in those 40 hours I am working to the best of my ability. Thus, do not goof off in those hours; do not surf the internet or spend excessive time visiting, but my time at work is to be about working.

From Tabletalk, September 11, 2015

Remember, when we die our work ceases. We are no longer able to accomplish things for God's kingdom--at least in the same manner that we could before we died. 

Promise: I need to take advantage of today and "such a time as this." There will never be a time like now.

Ecclesiastes 6:7-9 - An Unsatisfied Appetite

Ecclesiastes 6:7-9
All a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living? What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.

Message: An unsatisfied appetite

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

This passage is something I do not see I struggle with. The idea is that we don't work hard to simply keep up with the Joneses, but I work hard to provide for my family. Yet, the Joneses are a problem in my life because they are doing things I am not interested in doing and so my kids love to spend time with them. I want to do work at home and simple activities but they want to go have fun in new ways. I guess I should allow them, but sometimes it hurts when I do want to do something that then they aren't here. 

"What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires." Do we stop at times to just enjoy what we have or are we too conditioned to just seeking more? This is the danger in life. 

From Tabletalk, "There is nothing wrong with having nice things, but if we think those nice things will make us content, we will never find our self in a place of happiness. The more that we own, the greater the temptation to make what we own the source of our contentment. But Christ alone can satisfy us permanently."

Promise: Work hard and then be content.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 - Enjoyment in our Toil

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
¹⁸ Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. ¹⁹ Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. ²⁰ For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.

Message: Enjoyment in our toil

Time:  Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C

What the Lord is Saying:

There are two thoughts in these verses

Work is Good
Here is a noble idea -- work is a reward in itself. As you work, as you toil, there is enjoyment. This is one thing that I think our TV culture has gotten right. My wife like the Chicago series of shows on right now -- Chicago Fire, Chicago PD and Chicago Med. I especially enjoy Chicago Med, the last in the series. Granted, this is TV and the shows are make believe and present the best of the best, but they also get it right by showing that working is good for us. There is great enjoyment and satisfaction in doing a good job. As we work, as we toil, there is enjoyment. I need to thank God more for the job he has given me. 

Wealth is Good
I think I understand these verses, in fact, I think this is a verse than many people understand too much. As I read and understand scripture and the role of ministry we are to have in our life, I do think it is important to have a verse like this that reminds us that we do have a right to have enjoyment in the midst of our toil. But, I also think us Americans have shifted to the other extreme of enjoyment. We are eating too much, drinking too much and spending our days just sitting and enjoying. And yet we are not living just a few years of life anymore, but many ears and spending many of these years in this enjoyment. 

Conclusion
But, this verse should also be an anthem to all of those outside of the faith that look into Christianity and think that it is a faith of drudgery and duty. On the contrary, God commands us to enjoy ourselves through these words from Solomon. Life is meant to have enjoyment. I need to remember this, for I think I struggle sometimes taking it easy, but maybe not. Maybe I just take it easy in other ways that to others may look like work. 

Promise: Enjoy the work that you have and the experiences it brings to your life and then enjoy the result of your labor. But do not focus too much on either one.

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 - Pursuing Contentment

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Message: Pursuing Contentment

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

This message is entitled contentment, which for me, is a difficult concept. I am not sure what it means to be content. I think I know what it means from an economic stance. I need to be content with what God has provided me and not feel like I need more. In fact, it seems like in life, the more I have the worse off I am. Every time I get a raise, the money is gone before I know it, being spent on other commitments.

But, contentment in life, on a time standpoint, as far as what I spend my time on, is also difficult. In my present job I could easily stay at work all night, but I know that I need to leave the office and get home. At home, I wonder how much time each day should really be spent in relaxation, sitting in front of a screen watching something. That is where I struggle to this day, often not real satisfied with just sitting in front of a TV, so I can get through such and such TV show that my wife and I have decided we like. I think about reading a book instead during that time or even doing a Bible Study. I think about the early days of dating and courting and how much time was spent in the Word, and now, it happens individually, but not very often as a couple.

In my TableTalk, the write-up begins with this idea of seeking contentment or balance in our lives.

The Preacher here in verse 4 brings up an interesting point to begin by stating, "every labor and every skill which is done is rivalry between a man and his neighbor." To me, he may be using this to set up a point because I am not sure this is the focus of man, but rather there is the potential of man to think that his work is basically the result of envy and we work because we want something better than our neighbor. I think I work hard to work for the Lord and provide for my family. Sure, there are times when I think my providing isn't enough and that "isn't enough" thought often is there because I look out on the landscape at other people and what they have been able to provide for their families and immediately, I think what I am doing is not good enough (and yet more is not always what I think is needed, but rather the right balance).

After this statement he remarks that this is vanity and striving after wind. This makes sense, if our desire is simply to do better than our neighbor then this is a losing battle. We will never be satisfied and even if we think we are accomplishing it, what does it matter, but temporal enjoyment.

So, that is the laborer, but then the Preacher mentions the fool or the lazy man. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. The fool does nothing but sit idly. This is the person that equally disturbs me. This is the person that seems content to live off the government or their parents or both. If given the opportunity this person is going to do whatever it takes to basically do thinks that feed his flesh. The flesh likes to be entertained and fed -- once again spent time doing things that are fleeting and will pass away. In the end, the laborer and the fool or lazy person have the same outcome in their lives. They both are living an empty life of seeking after things that don't really matter. The hard worker amasses toys, the lazy person amasses nothing, but both are seeking things that will result in little. 

Verse 6 provides the conclusion. What is it that we should desire in life? One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. It is better to possess what you can handle or what your one hand can hold versus living life wanting to fill up both hands or even folding his hands (verse 5). Rest is important in our lives and rest is often about trust. I should work hard six days and then the 7th rest and feel fine that I am resting because I do not have to be busy all the time.  

Promise: Pursue contentment, accepting what God has provided.

Ecclesisastes 3:9-15 - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15
What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.

Message: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow OR What do I make of my job and its results, both immediate and long-term?

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Chapter 3 is poem about time. "For everything there is a season..." There are many different messages being put forth by Solomon in these words, but overall he is seeing (I have seen in v. 10) and he is knowing (I know in verse 12, 14) through observation that God is over all.

In life there seems to be a clear tension in understanding why life happens and what the events of life mean to us and to people. Without getting too deep, I think Solomon simply wants us to realize that God is in control. Yes, there is enjoyment in life, but do not get too focused on any one thing; in so doing we forget God and forget we are His instruments; we must continually be reminded of our position in His creation. As time moves forward and more advances are made, man seems to have trouble remembering he has limitations.

Profit - Working
What is gained by the worker after his labor is complete? 

The worker has a task to perform and performs it, occupying himself. For the most part, the rewards of his labor are brief. God has the complete picture (God has done from the beginning to the end). But ultimately, we must understand and live by the notion that the results of our labor is a gift from God. The worker is not to think they work of their own accord. God is the active agent in it all. God has set this world in motion and he acts as the conductor. Surely, this is what we need to understand. It could be the question that is asked in verse 9 has an answer in the rest of the passage and the passage is then focused on answering that question about work and labor, maybe just through verse 15 since 16, seems to begin a different thought.

Time and Eternity
God creates time and yet sets eternity in our hearts. Right now we know time, but one day time will be not relevant to us. 

As time moves forward and more advances are made, man seems to have trouble remembering he has limitations. Solomon saw that man does have limitations.This is why reading the Bible is so important. We need to reminded of God and his work in our life.

I have always enjoyed verse 11 in this chapter. Yet, more and more, it is not a popular message. The idea that man has limitations of understanding is not popular. So many belief systems of this world, in laying the groundwork that they are THE correct way, leading the audience to believe that they have all the answers. 

There are really 3 parts to this verse. 

1. He has made everything appropriate in its time.  -- There is a purposeful nature from our Creator. Our problem is we are often impatient with God and we therefore try to determine our own outcomes, rather than waiting for the proper outcome of the Lord. We are encouraged here to be patient and thoughtful. As Song of Solomon says, "Do not awaken love until it pleases." We need a constant recognition and reminder that God sees what we do not see and He is in control. 
2. He has also set eternity in their heart -- We have been created, so we are finite. We are a different substance from God, who is infinite. Eternity has been set in us by our Father in Heaven. Again, he is in control and he ordains our future. And so we must be cautious about placing too much hope in the things of this present life.  
3. yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. -- We do not know all of God's plans. We have limitations. We are unable to see how everything he has created fits together. He gives us glimpses but we are finite. He is infinite and so see's all. 

Promise: I think Solomon's perspective of life is an important one, but not one we need to rest in at all times. It is a perspective we need, for it directs us toward God who is the author and sustains life. We need to be continually reminded that God is over all and in control. I need this reminder, because life does not remind me this. Life is focused on our selfish providence. There are fruits to our labor and enjoyment to that which we earn, because that is the way God made it.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 - Joy in the Present

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 - ²⁴ There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. ²⁵ For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? ²⁶ For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

Message: God is the giver of providence, wisdom, knowledge, and joy

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.
 
What the Lord is Saying:

Man enjoys eating and drinking and being satisfied and a feeling of accomplishment from his labor. But Solomon reminds me in verse 24 that this is possible because of the hand of God. He provided the food and our enjoyment and so it must be with Him. Man does not necessarily see the fruit of his labor. But he does enjoy eating and drinking. 

There is enjoyment in life. We are to enjoy life and we can enjoy the things of life. We can experience God's creation in various ways. We are allowed to enjoy life though we must remain in the confines of what is right and wrong. 

TableTalk mentions that much of true Christian spirituality in history, up to the Protestant Reformation was about living life so as to be absent from worldly pleasures. Even when I was growing up in the church, there was an idea that certain things inherently corrupted man. It may be dancing, playing cards, certain types of music, drinking alcohol, watching movies, watching TV, sports, and doing anything that wasn't directly spiritual. This is how I think I was trained to a large degree in my life: to avoid certain things. I must say, it is hard to not be like this. 

He provides wisdom and knowledge and joy giving us good sight. Again, this is His hand of provide. I need to be reminded of his providence. It was in that water I drank and the cookies and apples I ate. I enjoyed it because he provided it. 

In verse 26, Solomon remarks that God has given the sinner the task of working (gathering, collecting) so as to provide to the Christian. This (??) is vanity and striving after wind.  These things are not permanent to our lives. Only God's love is permanent. Everything else is vanity and striving after the wind. This phrase "vanity and striving after the wind" I think is something I will define and learn as I move through this book. To me, it may mean that I am not to get too caught up in any one thing thinking that thing is the end all. I can be grateful and enjoy life and what it offer, but always remember it is God's provision and I am ultimately to enjoy Him first and foremost.


Promise: Enjoy life. God has provided all of it. I can enjoy it, but remember that God is the provider. Don't get distracted by it to the point that it takes my eyes off of God.