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2 Timothy 2:6 — “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

Paul compared the Christian life to the labor of a farmer. Farming is not glamorous, and it is rarely easy. It requires early mornings, long days, and faithful perseverance through all kinds of weather. The diligent farmer works with patience, trusting that his labor will one day bring a harvest. So it is with those who follow Christ.

The farmer must sow before he can reap. In the same way, Christians must invest time in prayer, study of the Word, and acts of service if they expect to see fruit. Spiritual harvests are the result of consistent sowing, not occasional spurts of effort. A farmer who neglects his field will never be surprised when nothing grows.

Patience is another mark of the farmer’s diligence. Crops do not appear overnight; they take time to sprout, grow, and mature. Likewise, spiritual growth in our lives and in others is a process. We must resist the temptation to demand instant results and instead trust God’s timing. The diligent farmer knows that waiting is part of the work.

Paul also reminds Timothy that the farmer enjoys the fruit of his labor. God does not call His people to a joyless life of endless toil. There is joy in answered prayer, in seeing souls saved, in witnessing spiritual growth, and in experiencing God’s blessings. The harvest brings delight to the farmer, and it brings delight to the believer.

The imagery of the farmer also points us to endurance. Farmers face storms, droughts, pests, and setbacks, yet they keep working. Christians face trials, temptations, and disappointments, but we must not quit. The Lord promises that our labor is not in vain in Him.

If you are weary in well doing, remember the diligent farmer. Keep sowing, keep watering, and keep waiting. In due season, God will bring the harvest, and you will be first to rejoice in the fruit.