2 Corinthians 8:15
As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”
This word 'gathered' is used 384 times in the Bible and has quite a few definitions. But in this context the definition is:
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4863
Gathered: to lead together, to collect, assemble; to come together, to receive with hospitality
From the Greek word 'sunagó' (pronounced (soon-ag'-o).
Matthew 13:8
Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 9:37,38
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all are of the faith.
It's not a question of how many people we reach when we share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. It's a question of obedience to the gospel ourselves. When we are faithful and fully committed to spreading the good news that God loves us and sent His Son to save us from the penalty of sin, then the Spirit will move on the hearts of the listeners. It's up to the hearer to respond to the Spirit.
It's not about the quantity of souls gathered in by our actions, it's about our actions being done in love, sprinkling grace, mercy and compassion into our conversations. The fields that are ready to be harvested are the hearts of those people who are seeking a better Way, something, Someone they can believe and place their trust in.
We know that 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus' and we encourage the people we meet in our lifetime, including the family we are born into and is born through us, to also lay claim to the promise of trusting in Christ. When they do, we are gathering a harvest that had been planted before ever we arrived on the scene.
Stop comparing your ministry to another's. Do what God has called you to do. Plant the seed of the Word of God when opportunities are given to do so. Water the seed you have planted with the tears of your prayers. Be prepared to harvest the seed others have planted, others have watered.
Preparation is preparedness. A crucified life has put aside that which is not profitable in the kingdom of God. What is not profitable in the kingdom of God? A couple of examples are:
~tainted faith (Matthew 5:13)
~lack of motivation to fully obey God's Word (Matthew 25:30)
A crucified life follows the path of the crucified Savior, preaching the kingdom of God; the kingdom of Divine Love, Divine Forgiveness and Divine Grace. These tools are what is needed to gather in the harvest to which we are called. Let us be found faithful and not lacking in any way.
Grave Clothes - Stephen McWhirter
Bringing In The Sheaves - Shiloh Worship
Shall We Gather At The River - Burl Ives
The Commission - CAIN
The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson
Come To The Table - Sidewalk Prophets
I Speak Jesus - Here Be Lions
One Gospel - CityAlight
Taste & See - Shane & Shane
Sinner Saved By Grace - Gaithers
