Plant it and Reap it, or Pop it and Eat it

“Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt” (Genesis 42:2 KJV). The phrase “You can plant it and reap it, or pop it and eat it” is probably one of those catchy phrases that preachers use to keep their messages in our memories. It is attributed to Dr. D.V. Hurst, president emeritus at Northwest University, an Assemblies of God institution.

The choice is reproduction or sustenance; giving or consuming. Two Bible illustrations immediately come to mind. One is in the Psalms and the other in Paul’s letters. Both are worth spending a few thoughtful moments of consideration.

In Psalm 126 we read: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5,6 ESV). The setting has to do with the return of the people of Israel to their land after the long captivity in Babylon. The “sowing in tears” reflects the life of the farmer in an Eastern culture where droughts are prevalent. The precious seed which could have been used to keep feeding the family had to be sown in the ground to ensure next year’s harvest.

The application for individuals is that there is no reaping without sowing. Sowing in the Bible is always taking part of what you have and giving it. Pledges and promises are a modern invention of desperate church leaders to raise finances rather than raise faith. Yet those who give “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (KJV). Put your current and future needs in the hands of your rich, divine, prospering heavenly Father.

Jesus taught his followers to “give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38), and Paul taught New Testament Christians that when giving “it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” (II Corinthians 8:12 ESV).

In the same letter he wrote: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (II Corinthians 9:10,11).

Here we see the two parts of the slogan side-by-side — “seed to the sower and bread for food.” But don’t miss the first word of the sentence. It is God who supplies the seed for you to sow and it is God who increases the harvest, so you have more than enough to live on and you are able “to be generous in every way.” These truths do work if you will apply them.