Thanks be to God

 Harvest is a wonderful service where we give thanks, think of others and enjoy the good gifts God gives us. We are reminded that God helps us in our daily lives. 

I expect that there are people here this morning, who do not need to imagine what harvesting looks like. Some of you may have worked the land yourselves.  Others know exactly what is involved in caring for livestock, watching the weather, worrying about prices, hoping for rain when the ground is dry and hoping for sunshine when rain threatens the harvest.

There are always problems that will be beyond our control, such as weather. There are often times in life when all we can do is trust God, and wait. 

Harvest is a chance to give thanks to God, for what has come at the end of waiting. We don’t only give thanks because a year has been perfect, some years really aren’t. We give thanks because throughout every season, good or difficult, God remains faithful.

In the reading from Deuteronomy (28:1-14), the people of Israel were reminded that God is the source of every blessing. The passage speaks of blessings on fields and flocks, on crops and livestock, on households and communities. It paints a picture of abundance and flourishing.

It is a beautiful picture of everything going well as you follow God, and His commands. There is not a promise here that followers of God won’t face difficulties. Rather, it is a reminder that ultimately every blessing comes from God.

Harvest calls us to stop, and recognise that all good things have their source in God. Sometimes it can feel as if society tells us that if we work hard enough, organise well enough and plan carefully enough, we can control everything that will happen.  This is why it is good to stop and think of the meaning of harvest. This is because harvest is a reminder of our dependence on God.

Harvest takes us an extra step. This is the step where we do something with the blessings God has given us. 

In our reading from 2 Corinthians (9:6-15), there were the words

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

This reminds us of some basics when it comes to harvesting. 

For example, you can’t expect a harvest from seed never sown. In order to gather fruit, seeds need to be scattered first.  Paul the writer of the letter applied these basics to the Christian life. He was writing that God blesses us not merely so that we can accumulate blessings for ourselves, but so that we can become a blessing to others.

We now come to our reading from Luke (12:16-30) . In this passage Jesus told the story of a rich farmer whose land produced an exceptionally good harvest. The problem for the man was not the good harvest, after all this is something to be pleased about. The problem was that he made it all about him talking of his barns, his crops, his grain and his goods. Rather than seeing something to be thankful for he wanted to build bigger barns so he could protect what he had. He wasn’t thankful for what he had, he just wanted more. He saw all that God had given him as belonging to him alone and not to be shared with others. 

The end of the story is rather chilling, but it does help in asking the question of what we are doing with the blessings that God has given us ? How are we using the good gifts that God has given to us ? They may not be financial. God gives all sorts of gifts. 

I want you to think for a moment about the good gifts God has given you.

The gifts might include baking, speaking, being a good friend, flower arranging, being a musician, being an artist, helping with building maintenance or being good at organising, being good at administration, being good at praying for others, being able to encourage others. There are so many gifts that people possess.

At this time of Harvest, across the Ministry Area, we are asking people to think prayerfully about what gifts they can offer to God and to others. After the service if you look at the sheets you have been given, you will see many of the different ways people can contribute to the life and worship of our churches. This is an opportunity to reflect on where God may be calling you.

There is also a section asking whether you would be willing to support the work of the church financially, or if you already give, whether you might be able to increase that support. And there are opportunities to explore different ministries and areas of service. These could include helping with intercessions, being involved in visiting, taking home communion to people. It may be that you have been thinking about baptism or confirmation. These things are all journeys which begin with prayer and conversation. There is no rush, take your time and if God is stirring something within you, please speak to one of the clergy or to others in the church. We would love to help you explore where that calling may lead.  After all, God has given every one of us something to offer.

The harvest gathered in a field does no good if it remains there. The grain stored in a barn only fulfils its purpose when it feeds people. And the gifts God has placed within us fulfil their purpose when they are shared.

There is a a message that runs through all three of today's readings. This is that as God blesses, so we give thanks. As God provides, so we share. As God gives generously so we are to respond generously. When all of this happens the blessings of God grow as our response reaches to others so that they too can know the goodness of God. 

So as we celebrate Harvest today, let us give thanks for the land, for those who work it, for the food we enjoy, and for God whose faithfulness sustains us through every season. Then let us also give thanks for the gifts God has placed within each one of us.

And for all God's goodness, generosity and faithfulness, both seen and unseen, today and every day, we say:

Thanks be to God. Amen.