Lester Start’s Works

1WHAT EVERY FARMER KNOWS

Gal 6:7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.

Introduction. The farmers know. that the fruits they reap depend. upon the seed they plant. The fruits will not result without tee roots from which they grow. Note parable of soils; Jesus’ use of farm knowledge to illustrate his teachings. How we sow is important in our general life as it is in running a farm.

I The Importance of the seed, as motive and direction.

The child is father of the man. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree. We become like our environment. Worm becomes color of leaf he eats. [Imp. Of education] Midas turns everything into gold. This is a profound psychological insight showing that after our actions take a certain direction, we no longer have control over them. Illustrated from Aristotle, and from the teachings of Jesus. (Evil has its source in evil impulse). We forget this today, thinking law and reason can rule man; his evil impulses must first be healed through Christ.

II The Inevitable fruits of the spirit and the flesh, are eternal life and corruption.

[Inevitability of reward]

The pattern the seed follows is inevitable. Thistles beget thistles and wheat, wheat. The reward is inevitable, though the interval may be long. [corpse] Be sure jour sin will find you out, even though it may not be found out. Illustrated from Dosteyevski. There is the same inevitable reward for good seed. [family business] Perhaps not material rewards, but the only really worthwhile reward, the life of the spirit walking in light, living as a child of God because this is the right way and the good life. We must not be discouraged if the harvest seems far off; we plant the seed but God gives the increase. [justice of God] We must not minimize our good efforts because they do not seem ideal. A beginning must be made, and the pattern set.

III God watches over the seed and its panting.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked. He is on the side of right. We will not be successful in the harvest if we use potato peelings for seed instead of the potato. We must put into our lives good seed; be not weary in well-doing. God is not mocked, and the reward of man’s husbandry is according to his plan. Be mot weary in planning for world brotherhood - redemption of humanity in agony. Plant buckwheat to get rid of weeds in meadow.

[ape and jar]