HARVEST

The next very important event in our church calendar coming up soon is the celebration of harvest.

Harvest is an act of worship in presenting our food crops and substance in monitory form shows that we acknowledge God as our source and provider. We do these once a year usually before the year runs out in the last quarter, at a time when we presume to have gathered in our crops for the year.

Harvest is a season of gathering ripened crops; specifically, the time of reaping and gathering grain. Please note that it is also the process of harvesting and gathering the ripened crops.

Harvest is the PRODUCT or RESULT of any exertion or labour; gain or reward. This harvest is celebrated usually in the fall or autumn, beginning from September 24 to December 22 in the parts of the Northern Hemisphere, and in the southern hemisphere.

According to God’s word in Gen. 8:22 “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest… shall not cease”. Exo. 23:16, 19:23. The celebration of harvest is to honour God as the provider.

Many have taken this event for granted because of its recurrent nature year in year out. The fact is that God must be honoured as our provider and the source of our wealth and blessings. To do less, is to behave or act like king according to the scriptures who did not give his best and did not get the honour that follows those who honour God like Abel. Gen. ……

The crop items that children of God should present before their God should be the best in quality and according to the abundance that God has provided for them. This should proceed from a willing and cheerful heart full of thanksgiving and worship to God the giver. Giving in harvest should be done in deep humility and reference. Anything less cannot attract the desired blessing.

The danger in the dispensation of grace that we are in is the exercise of freedom to the neglect of worship to God. Christians are advised to be watchful, prayerful and full of gratefulness to God giving Him thanks in full appreciation of His kindness and goodness. May the great God of Zion generously bless His people as you celebrate the 2016 harvest.