KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:38 KJV “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

The Lord stated to His disciples that He sent them to reap where they had not laboured. He added that other men laboured, and they have entered into their labours. By this statement we understand that most of what some may achieve is only upon the effort of others.

We could partake of the grace of others to do exploits. Apostle Paul declares in Philip 1 :7 that “….ye are partakers of my grace …”.

We could see this in the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. When Elijah was to be taken to heaven, he asked Elisha, what is it that you want, that I may do for you? Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy Spirit (grace) be upon me. Now grace is an unmerited favor, yet a special grace does not just fall on anyone. There are definite acts, sacrifices and commitment that moves God to release this special grace upon a man. When Elijah stayed without food for forty days, Elisha was not part of it. When he spent hours in the presence of God labouring in prayer, Elisha was not part of it. It was these acts and sacrifices that established the presence of the Spirit mightily on Elijah. Now Elisha was asking to receive a double portion of that grace on Spirit. (Well, the double portion is the portion of the first born, not necessarily two times the anointing or grace. Deut 21:17).

In this context Elisha was going to reap from where he had not laboured. Our Lord Jesus spoke about when others have laboured at certain places, fasted and interceded for a people, even demonstrated the power of God, and yet others go there only to reap the souls. Let us note a few thoughts. The disciples went where the master asked them to go. Please go to where ever the Lord leads you.to go, please go there. As everything begin to go well with you, do not boast. Be a good reaper by learning all the skills in reaping. Make sure you are able to preserve the harvest and make it grow.

Now going back to reaping the blessing of another man, like the case of Elijah and Elisha, you must build your relationship with God to the point that it would no more be the God of Elijah, but the God of Elisha. This would come about as you dedicate your life to God and grow your relationship with Him. Elisha worked with God to the point that he was no longer calling on the God of Elijah but would call on God as his personal God. In reaping from where others have laboured, we start on what they did, but trust and depend on God to make it our labour in the long run.

THOUGHT: THE WORK OF GOD OS LIKE A RELAY EVENT, SOMEBODY SURFFERED TO GET YOU THE BATTON, DO YOUR BEST WITH IT.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 1:7 KJV “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”

Ephesians 4:16 KJV” From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”