Did you know, “The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which contains the general and permanent rules of federal agencies, exceeds 188,000 pages as of late 2021.” And “Print Volumes: The printed version, often updated by annual supplements, spans over 370 volumes…contains roughly 22 million words, which would take an average reader about 46 work weeks to finish.” Google. That was 5 years ago. Now think about this. The Creator of Heaven & Earth, started it all with one simple law, “A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7. Six words that have not changed since Adam was formed and “put” to work in the Garden of Eden. Civilizations & cultures have come and gone but God’s unchanged  Law of the Farm still is in effect.

Principle 4, Harvest Value. Dad raised rice and soybeans each year. There were several factors that determined what he chose to plant but the potential harvest value was the deciding factor. The true harvest value would be determined when the harvest was sold. After the rice was harvested it would be taken by truck to the buyer. The buyer would weigh the grain and sample each truck load. The moisture rate of the grain, the amount of weeds & trash and broken grain would determine the price dad was paid. Only the buyer determined value. How hard my dad  had “tried,” the circumstances or his feelings had no consideration.

This is exactly what Jesus was telling us in Matthew 13:30, “At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.” This is significant. Our opinion or the opinion of someone else has no effect on our value before God. Only God has the authority to determine value. His unchanging Word defines what He values, not what the world values. In Acts 13:22, “God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.” Jeremiah describes the attitude of the persons heart that gives God pleaser. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:26. Jesus clearly said, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Now is a good time to look in the hopper (where the grain is held on the combine) of your life. Is it what God values? Good News. If you are still sucking air, you have time to plant the Good Seed that will produce His Harvest.

Principle 5, Ownership Retention. When dad had a heart attack, I told him I could not farm. He then sold the equipment and settled with the creditors. Dad did not take the farm with him. The owner of the field found a new farmer. That has not changed. When we die, we will not carry any of the “things” with us…not one! And like my dad, we will all settle up. We will present ourselves before the owner, God. The problem is, being good will not be good enough to settle our debts. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.  We as humans cannot pay the price. The Good News, God made a way…His Son, Jesus.

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10. The owner gave His Son to pay for our debts. And they are stamped, “Paid In Full,” “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 And the incredible thing about this is, “He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5

What is the Harvest Value of your life?