March 1958 “What Are You Sowing?” Late Mr. N. Daniel

Hosea.8:7 “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.”

Where are you sowing? What are you sowing? One should ask himself these questions. A farmer takes hold of proper seeds and sows them in the proper field. In the proper time, he reaps a good harvest. Those who sow spiritual truth are not able to do this. This is because they lack the Spirit’s wisdom. They are in the dark. Where Christ is not - it is all darkness. Jesus said. "I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not have darkness but shall have the light 0 f life." (John 3:12). A man who does not have this light of life does not know what he is sowing or what he is going to reap.

Here Hosea is speaking about idolatry. Those who worship idols do not know what is purity. They do not know what is righteousness. Their conscience dies. When the conscience is not lighted, one can stoop to anything. There is nothing to stop them. There is nothing in Hinduism to awaken a dead conscience. The caste system and calling some people untouchables is the work of men whose conscience is dead. Blinded by pride, Indians have accepted these attitudes and have brought the country to great ruin. They have sown the wind and are reaping the whirlwind. Our country has become a land without justice and truth. They say that a dog’s life, an ant's life, and a man's life are of equal value. The ancients have in their blindness sown such thoughts, and idolatry will never allow a country to prosper. A man who worships idols and worships wealth and lands will surely reap the whirlwind. Once in Christian countries, slave trade was going on. Christians fought against this in Parliaments. In South Afri.ca, white people feel very superior to blacks. Christian preachers have been condemning this attitude. But in our country, there is no one who shelters a man of low caste to do him good. Gandhi tried to do this, but his effort ended with himself.

Where can idolators find light? God hates idolatry. He has expressed it in the first two commandments. Jeroboam, the king set up golden calves as idols and made Israel to worship them. Israel had 19 unrighteous kings. Israel was reduced to the state of worshipping idols. There was no difference between Israel and the nations around. Idol worship brought them to this state. Israel was separated from Judah. They had their own kingdom, their own capital, and their priest and their own worship. This was sowing to the wind. Kings of other nations overcame Israel and destroyed it. Even Christians can sow the wind. A husband and wife falling apart is sowing the wind. Marrying those who do not fear God is sowing the wind. Troubling the church is sowing the wind. Saying their children belong to non-Christian castes for scholarships is sowing the wind. They will surely reap the whirl wind. He who uses deceit to gain an education is sowing deceit. He finally enters employment with a slain conscience. He enters marriage with a slain conscience. His family will be devoid of God's blessing. They will come to great distress.

Gal.6:7,8 He who sows the lusts of the flesh cannot pray effectively. He will not have a hunger for righteousness. The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life will draw us out of the will of God. He that doeth the will of God abideth forever. In Christian life, the lust of the eyes and pride of life will not allow you to grow into love. They will make you selfish. You will want everything for yourself only. When you look at the houses of others you will want such houses for yourself. You will want such jewels for yourself. You will want those lands for yourself. Your desires will cling to perishable things. He who hungers after righteous things will long for holiness. He will be satisfied with simple attire and simple food. He will want to follow those who would spend very little on themselves. It is good to desire the holy life of saints. But we should not desire the honour which God gave them.

Some people think that as soon as they become evangelists. they should not do any work. It is a very wrong thing to love comfort and ease. Such people cannot glorify God. Those who love wealth should remember Lot's wife and Lot's wealth in Sodom and be warned. Those who do not want to submit to those who have advanced in their spiritual lives should remember Hagar and be warned. Hagar left Abraham and went back to Egypt. She found a bride for her son in Egypt. She left the home which alone could teach the most precious faith not available anywhere else in the whole world. What a dreadful mistake! If you forsake those who have 1ed you to Christ, and the fellowship that was instrumental in helping you spiritually and run after honour and fame, you are going back to Egypt.

In Egypt, you will get no prayer help. You will find no one with spiritual understanding who can correct your mistakes. You may gather Egypt' s wealth and strength. “Woe to the rebellious children that take counsel but not of me… "(Isaiah 30:1,2). Those who do not consult God in their decisions are travelling towards Egypt. They seek to shelter under the shadow of Egypt and strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh. "Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion." (Isaiah 30: 3). “When the Lord should stretch forth His hand both he that,…” (Isaiah 31:3). Absalom wanted to ki11 his father and claim the throne. He is a terrible warning to young people. What are you sowing? Where are you sowing? For what are you sowing! Ask yourself these questions.

If you apply yourself diligently to answer these questions, you will become wise. If you stand to the end, you will find rest and receive your part in God's glorious kingdom. Daniel was diligent to keep himself from defilement. “I have heard of thee that you have the spirit of the holy gods. You have light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods", said the queen. Morning, noon and night, Daniel was sowing to the spirit in his chamber. He reaped the fruit of this in the lion's den. The king saw it and said that “Daniel's God alone was the living God and steadfast for ever: His dominion shall be even unto the end.” He saw a vision that the saints will receive authority to rule. They will reign for ever and ever. Those who sow purity like Joseph will reap a great harvest. Those who control their temper and carefully direct their conversation and actions to be an example are sowing to the spiritual life of their children. They will reap a great harvest in their children's life. Husbands who beat their wives and rai1 at their children are going, to reap a very bad harvest in their children. All your labour is after all for the good of your children. But this way you will ruin them. Are you seeking eternal things? He who prays in the spirit is sowing deeply to a rich harvest. He will surely see victory. He will surely bear fruit. His fruit will remain. Nehemiah asked for help from the king. The king assisted him with gold and silver. What for? To build the walls of Jerusalem. He did not desire help for himself but for the glory of God. Where are you sowing? Are you sowing in your home? Are you sowing in your church? Are you praying and preaching in your home and in your church? If so, you will reap a good harvest. At present only 50% of the members of your family are there. Sons-in-law and daughters-in-law are yet to come. They will make up the other 50%. What is the use of milk which has 50% of water in it? If you sow in the church, preaching to many families, you will add an equal quantity of milk to what you already have. In your old age, you will see your children bearing fruits of righteousness. You will deeply be satisfied when you see them glorifying God. This harvest is a very precious harvest. Abraham reaped such a harvest. Jacob reaped such a harvest partly. Where are you sowing? Do you believe the Word of God?