126:6Psalms 126:6

He that goes forth weeping bearing precious seed is the sorrowful, prayerful, self-denying worker carrying the truth of God's word and the message of salvation to sow beside all waters for the conversion of souls.6T 305.3+4 His sheaves are the people won to Christ and to the truth, the fruit and harvest of his labor gathered in and brought with joy to the Master.SBAWP 37.5+3 The promise is certain that such faithful, persevering work cannot fail of its recompense, even when efforts seem almost fruitless and no results are yet witnessed.6T 305.3+2 The sowing belongs to the present time of generous missionary labor, while the reaping in God's due season may lie dormant until grace convicts the heart, requiring patience, hope, and going forward by faith without waiting for every obstacle to be removed.7T 23.2–24.1+4 As the Spirit breathes upon it the hidden seed springs up and brings forth fruit to God's glory, following the pattern of Christ who left glory to sow the seed of life with suffering and His own blood.ED 105.2–3+4

The precious seed is the truth of God's word, the message of salvation, the holy seeds of eternal truth and the great themes of the Bible to be carried, preached, and sown beside all waters for the conversion of souls.SBAWP 37.5+4 That sowing is spiritual labor to carry light to those dying in error and darkness, done through well-directed personal effort in season and out of season, in worship and in conversation at fireside, field, wayside, and market, turning minds to Scripture and urging God's claims even when efforts seem without result.GW 186.1–2+2 It is done with earnest grief and prayer for salvation, trusting that seed hidden for a time will later spring up through the Spirit and bear fruit to God's glory, leaving results with God.COL 64.1–65.1+2

The precious seed also means good and correct principles, Bible truth, and character sown in children's hearts and minds through daily effort, reading, study, and teaching.ST Nov 24, 1881+3 That parental sowing is done with care and may be accompanied by tears and earnest prayer with loving perseverance, trusting grace to water the work for abundant harvest.ST Nov 24, 1881+1 It must also be guarded so the principles planted are not choked by evil, but grow to bear good fruit.RH Jan 30, 1913+1

The sheaves are people won to the truth and to Christ, the fruit and results of labor, the harvest gathered in with joy and brought to the Master.SBAWP 37.5+4 They are those brought to God through sharing truth, including souls reached in distant places despite danger and hardship where churches arise along the path, and those won by proclaiming the last message of mercy in prayerful, sorrowful labor.SBAWP 37.5+2 Faithful soul-winning that presents Jesus for the building of His kingdom brings eternal reward and blessing even in this life.Ms 21, 1887, par. 3+1

Going forth weeping bearing precious seed means sorrowful, tearful, prayerful labor under a burden for sinners, with sacrifice, self-denial, and earnest desire that others see light.6T 305.3+4 Coming again with rejoicing bringing sheaves means returning with joy over the gathered fruit to God's glory, when seed sown with tears springs up and bears fruit.3T 232.3–233.1+2 Even when earnest and persevering efforts seem almost fruitless and results are not permitted to be witnessed, the work is noted in heaven and recompense cannot fail.6T 305.3+1

The sowing is the present seed-time of generous, self-sacrificing missionary labor for souls, and the reaping is receiving wages and gathering fruit unto eternal life.ST Jan 19, 1882+1 The harvest time is hid with God beyond weak and dim human vision, for God alone beholds the end of what is sown, yet no seed of generous sacrifice is forgotten where it lies, and even what seems cast on the desert shall rise at last with bloom and fruit while spreading knowledge of God into new lands.ST Jan 19, 1882+1 As a farmer tills and sows trusting that seedtime and harvest will not cease while the earth remains, spiritual sowing is to continue morning and evening though seed lies hidden unnoticed with no evidence it has taken root and none knows which effort will prosper.ED 105.2–3+2 Trusting that God's word will not return void, the laborer sows with tears and leaves results with God, confident that as the Spirit breathes on the soul the hidden seed will spring up, even after lying dormant until grace convicts the heart, and will at last bring forth fruit so that return with rejoicing and harvest is certain.ED 105.2–3+2

The promise cannot fail: faithful work that goes out weeping with precious seed will doubtless come back rejoicing with sheaves, even when earnest and persevering effort seems almost fruitless and no results are permitted to be seen, for such work is noted in heaven and its recompense is sure, so there is to be no weariness in well doing.6T 305.3+4 Every gospel worker is included in this assurance according to ability, great or lowly, not leaders only but the rank and file doing hard humble work like digging trenches, building fortifications, standing sentinel, and carrying messages, and every act of loyalty and faith in assigned duty will be crowned with special tokens of favor and approval.CT 518.1–2+3

The harvest often lies hidden and dormant for a time, like good seed sown in the heart that shows no sign of root, until grace convicts the heart and the Spirit breathes upon the soul to make it spring up and bear fruit to God's glory.ED 105.2–3+3 No one knows which effort will prosper, and the time of reaping is hid with God beyond dim human vision, yet no seed of generous sacrifice is forgotten even where it seems cast on desert, but will rise at last with bloom and fruit and wages gathered unto eternal life.ED 105.2–3+2 Therefore sowing is to continue morning and evening in patient hope, for the word will not return void but will accomplish its purpose, and the harvest comes in God's time and due season if there is no fainting, while impatience can forfeit a rich reward.ED 105.2–3+2

The verse calls for going forward by faith without waiting until every obstacle is removed, the treasury is supplied, or every step is seen, trusting the One who calls to open the way.7T 23.2–24.1+4 Workers are to venture anything and everything, push ahead in darkness as well as light, hold up under discouragements and disappointed hopes, and still sow beside all waters trusting the Lord for increase, expecting toil, sorrow, and suffering here.EW 54.1+1 Even when the treasury is exhausted and there is scarcely enough to sustain workers in the field, they are to enter the whitening harvest field with earnest prayer, meekness and lowliness of heart, following well-matured plans and well-directed effort rather than holding back for lack of means.7T 23.2–24.1+3

God will be with those who thus go forth, opening the way for their good and His glory, moving the work forward, opening new fields, winning many to a knowledge of the truth, and advancing seed to fruit unto eternal life, so what is needed is increased faith rather than waiting.7T 23.2–24.1+3 Practical obedience in entering the field strengthens confidence and multiplies talents, overcomes obstacles, and makes the spiritual desert rejoice and blossom, with souls added to the church.Lt 61, 1901, par. 24–25+3 This enlightening of the world belongs to the work God revives in answer to prayer, and it encourages those who believe the message for this time and look for the soon coming to act for the Master in reliance on the abiding Spirit.Ms 56, 1902, par. 46+2

God supplies seed and soil and sun and rain, but the husbandman must plow and sow with the means put in his hand, and will receive according to sowing and labor.JIOKP 22.1 If means are laid aside and prayer is offered for miracle to supply the lack, no miracle prevents the result of neglect, and at harvest the fields are barren with no grain to reap and no sheaves to gather.JIOKP 22.1 Tears belong to the sowing and joy to the harvest, so darkness, despondency, conflict, self-denial, and sacrifice are the Christian's portion here in order to win immortal glory, and are not proof that God is against the worker but may drive to more earnest seeking.5T 134.3+2 Because salvation is so great and cost so much, those who rightly sense its magnitude will never murmur that sowing must be in tears.MYP 98.3

Sorrow for sin precedes holiness and joy, and the penitent's tears yield righteousness.ST Apr 19, 1877+1 Those who sow with tears in sorrowful, patient labor and wait with patient expectation will return with rejoicing bringing in their sheaves at the Reaper's coming, unto immortal glory and eternal life.ST Apr 19, 1877+3

The verse pictures one who left a home of security and peace, the glory held with the Father before the world was, and a position upon the throne of the universe, to come to this world as a suffering and tempted man in solitude.GW 111.2–3 Going forth to sow in tears meant making everything subordinate to the mission to be accomplished, bringing desires and wishes into strict subjection to the claims of the word of God.GW 111.2–3 It meant watering the seed of life for a lost world with His own blood.GW 111.2–3

He is the Prince of missionaries, who went forth in suffering and self-sacrifice to sow that seed of life for the lost, though He had nowhere to lay His head and gave Himself.EW 54.1+3 Labor in the great missionary field follows Him with determined effort, in praying and weeping while sowing the precious seed of truth.ST Jan 16, 1879 That going forth can carry the message of salvation to others through hardship, through books, and through practical help for the sick and suffering, unto a harvest of people receiving the words of life.RH Nov 23, 1905

Those sent to search for the scattered sheep are therefore not to wait until every obstacle is removed, but to go out by faith trusting the One who called them, though Satan puts objections and hindrances in the way.EW 54.1+1 Their weeping sowing is to expect toil and sorrow and suffering here, partaking of His sufferings while in His stead beseeching souls to be reconciled to God.EW 54.1+1 God will open the way before them for their good and His glory, and will bring them at last to reign with Christ in glory, returning with a harvest of souls and joy.EW 54.1+1

The same devotion and consecration and subjection seen in Him must be seen in His servants, with care and anxiety and self-denial and continued sacrifice for the good of others.GW 111.2–3+1 They are to do this sowing with His mind as co-workers with Him and with heavenly angels in the salvation of others, not growing weary in well-doing.TBC1872 111.1 Even when the seed lies dormant for a time, they trust God to give life to it until grace convicts the heart and causes it to spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God.TBC1872 111.1

Spiritual sowing is to be done with the same confidence as a farmer who tills and sows trusting that seedtime and harvest will not cease while the earth remains.ED 105.2–3+1 Though the good seed sown in the heart may lie hidden and unnoticed for a time with no evidence it has taken root, and though the labor is done with tears and sorrow and no one knows which effort will prosper, sowing is to continue morning and evening because the word will not return void but will accomplish its purpose.ED 105.2–3+2 As the Spirit of God breathes upon the soul the hidden seed springs up and at last brings forth fruit to the glory of God, so the laborer will certainly return with rejoicing with the harvest.ED 105.2–3+2 The work must go on even when the soil of human hearts is stubborn and unbelief thwarts the labor, for God works through His co-laborers to prepare hearts and sow truth, giving life to the seed even where it lies dormant for a time until grace convicts the heart and causes it to spring up unto eternal life.Lt 138, 1898, par. 30–33+1 That sowing must be done with the mind of Christ in unselfish, earnest, persevering labor as co-workers with Christ and heavenly angels, without growing weary in well-doing.TBC1872 111.1

Going forth weeping bearing precious seed is spiritual labor to carry light to souls dying in error and darkness, preaching the truths of the word so that souls are convicted and converted to God, and coming again with rejoicing bringing sheaves is the sure gathering of that fruit.STM2 23.1+2 Efficiency to make that preaching carry conviction and convert souls is given by the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, which belongs to the church now and is to be claimed by faith and received on demand.STM2 23.1+2 Tearful bearing of the precious seed means missionary service in reliance on the abiding Spirit, and the joyful return means souls added to the church, with increasing confidence, multiplying talents, and the spiritual desert rejoicing and blossoming as the rose.STM2 23.1+2 The power of the Spirit enables God's people to speak truth in a way that convicts and converts, giving effect to all spiritual labor.STM2 23.1+3

Preaching from the pulpit sows precious seed in the hearers, but that sowing must be followed by personal contact and labor that cultivates the soil of the heart until the seed takes root.6T 68.1 Unless the heart is softened and subdued by the Spirit of God through personal effort, attention to interested hearers, private words after the service, kindness, and real care for souls, the seed does not take root and much of the discourse is lost.6T 68.1

Faithful sowing is well-directed personal labor for souls, done with a burdened heart in season and out of season, in worship and in conversation at the fireside, in the field, by the wayside, and in the market, seizing and improving every opportunity to turn minds to the great themes of the Bible and urge the claims of God even when efforts seem without result.GW 186.1–2 Preaching alone gains few sheaves when church members stand back as if uninterested and leave all the burden on the minister, while the prayers and labor of members make ministerial efforts successful and souls are won as sheaves to be presented to Christ.GW92 100.1+1 True fruit requires having God with the worker, a burden for souls, a soul aglow with the spirit of the truth presented, and wisdom to press convicted souls into the kingdom.3T 227.2–3 That work begins with convicting souls of the claims of the law and teaching repentance toward God and faith in Christ, and it is only begun there, for it must be completed by shepherding and pastoring the flock instead of leaving that finishing work for others, taking greater responsibility, entering with whole heart and soul and energies into the wants of the people, helping where help is needed and correcting deficiencies rather than gliding along without getting hold of hearts.2T 120.1+1

Workers are to enter the whitening field with earnest prayer, meekness and lowliness of heart, following well-matured plans and well-directed, effective, steady efforts so they can see and gather the results of their labor and know God was with them, building work that is solid and lasting.RH Aug 26, 1902+2 After public efforts and camp meetings, follow-up evangelistic work and house-to-house Bible work gather the sheaves, which are people brought in through preaching amid difficulty and sorrow and returned with joy as harvest.Ms 49, 1907, par. 5–7+2 The true watchman carries truth as precious seed and sows it beside all waters with intense desire and deep yearning of soul that others may see the light, going forth weeping and praying under a burden of labor for others that taxes mind and heart and stirs the soul to the very depths.GW92 172.3+2 That strain cannot be kept up continuously without wearing out prematurely, so strength, health, efficiency and renewal are needed in every discourse, with fresh supplies of things new and old brought from the storehouse of the word to impart life and power to hearers, for exhausting labor without freshness and life is not wanted.GW92 172.3+2

Fruitful labor requires entering with whole heart, soul and energies, earnest persevering effort amid difficulty, humbly walking with God, putting self aside, and seeking surrender to God and perfection of character, with only those endowed with power from on high engaging in work they can perform so they will have something to show for their time and return rejoicing bringing sheaves.2T 120.1+2 Earnest, unselfish, humble, obedient labor for others yields sheaves through divine help, and faithful influence by words, example, testimony and prayers attracts others heavenward to salvation as the purchase of blood, with good influence continuing beyond the worker's life to bear eternal fruit, while a missionary who gathers no sheaves produces no harvest for the cause despite receiving support.HSFM 182.2+4 Selfishness, rivalry, striving for superiority, belittling others, amusing stories instead of the Word, and mere sensation and excitement in debates and meetings produce very few sheaves and keep work from blessing, while converting grace, love, more of Christ and less of self, words, example, testimony and prayers attract heavenward and help bring souls to salvation.3T 227.2–3+1 Those who bring sheaves receive the Master's approval, special tokens of favor, gratitude from those helped, a soul made like a watered garden whose waters fail not, and eternal glory as a free gift with no merit, adding to the praise of the redeemed.CT 518.1–2+4

Every act of loyalty and faith in doing duty assigned according to ability, whether great or lowly like digging trenches, building fortifications, standing sentinel and carrying messages, will never go unrewarded but will be crowned with favor, and the weeping sower will surely return glad with gathered harvest.CT 518.1–2+2 Investing lent talents and riches to advance the cause and relieve the widow and fatherless glorifies God and gathers rich blessings and inexpressible joy at reaping as recompense for fidelity and unselfish use, while hoarding or spending them on pride, position, extravagance, vain show, ambition and selfishness abuses blessing and brings a curse.2T 668.3+1 Those who use gifts in service present the harvest of people and honor to their Lord with humility, knowing they merit no reward, receiving eternal glory as a free gift.ST Nov 20, 1884

The promise belongs to every gospel worker according to the ability assigned, great or lowly, and faithful performance of that duty will never go unrewarded.CT 518.1–2+3 It belongs not only to generals, captains, and leaders but to the rank and file who do hard humble work like digging trenches, building fortifications, standing sentinel, and carrying messages.GW 84.4–85.1 Every act of loyalty and faith will be crowned with special tokens of favor and approval, with the weeping sower of precious seed doubtless returning glad with a gathered harvest.CT 518.1–2+2 Ministers and true watchmen are to undertake it earnestly even when sorrowful, going out in sorrow carrying precious seed like the message of truth and returning with joy bringing the people helped and the results of the work.GW92 296.2+2

Foreign missionaries stirred by the love of Christ and the needs of the lost leave farms, business, home comforts, society of friends, even wife and children to carry salvation to those in darkness in foreign lands among idolaters and savages.GW 464.2+1 Their sowing of the seeds of truth in sorrow yields a bountiful harvest, though many lose their lives and others are raised up to carry the work forward step by step.GW 464.2+1 So the cause progresses, the knowledge of God and the Bible is extended, and the banner of the cross is planted in heathen lands.ST Jul 2, 1885+2 Like the Waldensians who carried Scripture into distant places despite danger and hardship, churches arose along their path, and the day of God will reveal the souls gathered through their labor.ST Jul 2, 1885+1

Families who in humble dependence settle in the waste desert places of the vineyard to sow the seeds of truth by self-sacrificing effort will reap a rich harvest as reward, visiting family after family and opening the Scriptures to those in spiritual darkness until many hearts are touched.SBAWP 41.2 Women are called to take part in this harvest field and help gather in the sheaves and bring people to God.RH Dec 10, 1914 Their selfless persistent work to bring souls to truth, though involving sacrifice and discouragement, helps gather people into the harvest.ST Sep 16, 1886 Teachers with missionary spirit who see in every student a soul to save, who learn of Jesus and labor earnestly and devotedly for those under their charge for whom Christ died to give eternal life instead of perishing, will at the harvest of the earth bring many students as sheaves to the Master.Ms 49, 1902, par. 4–5 Teacher and students will then together share the life that measures with the life of God, life and immortality brought to light through Jesus Christ.Ms 49, 1902, par. 4–5

Parents are to keep sowing the precious seed of their children's character through daily effort, earnest prayer, and loving perseverance, trusting grace to water the work for an abundant harvest.ST Nov 24, 1881 Tears and prayers spent in faithful labor for children may seem sown in vain and fruitless, yet the harvest can come with joy when the children are redeemed and parents rejoice at last.RH Sep 15, 1904+1 Children won and trained for Christ, along with others reached through service, may be presented as sheaves at the gates of the city.6MR 43.1–46.1 Sowing truth on new missionary ground in simplicity, faith and hope, even when the field is new and prospects look unpromising as at first in Rochester, Michigan, Oakland, San Francisco and Europe, will not end in disappointment.LSEGW 362.1 The worker will have sheaves to bring to the Master, for one soul won exceeds the price of land, and labor in faith and hope brings fellowship with Christ and eternal results.LSEGW 362.1

Sheaves have been gathered and may still be gathered in many fields, for labor in camp-meetings and tent-meetings is to bring many sheaves to the Master, and there need not be so many failures and so few sheaves.6T 72.3 In places where the standard of present truth has never been lifted, a certain amount of work will now convert more souls than ever before, so those whose hands weaken are to grasp the standard more firmly and go forward in faith without failing or discouragement, for constant advancing proves strength of faith.6T 72.3 At Nimes sheaves picture people gathered through hardship and sorrow with further harvest still possible, at Hobart gospel work in hardship is hoped to win people to the Lord, at Parramatta as a harvest field many can be brought to know the truth, at Boston sheaves represent people won through missionary work for the final message, and at Maitland and Copenhagen earnest humble obedient unselfish labor can rely on divine help to accomplish sheaves for Jesus.HSFM 182.2+4 Using the Lord's lent talents for the salvation of fellow men glorifies God and gathers rich blessings, gratitude from those helped, and a soul like a watered garden, while hoarding or spending them on pride, position, extravagance, vain show, ambition and selfishness abuses a precious blessing and brings a terrible curse.2T 668.3 At reaping time the faithful will have inexpressible joy in seeing the sheaves gathered as recompense for fidelity and unselfish use of talents to advance the cause and relieve widow and fatherless, with the sheaves as people brought to salvation and at least one hundred sheaves hoped for as trophies of grace.2T 668.3+2

Labor to save souls in difficult southern fields gathers sheaves to present to Jesus Christ as ransomed people made free servants of Him who gave Himself a living sacrifice to ransom them.SPBC 223.4+1 Those who love God are in duty bound by obligation and obedience to obey their spiritual Leader and save as many as they can, studying the situation with great care with the Lord as enlightener and exercising capabilities with deep thinking and earnest prayer for wisdom at all times on how to work.SPBC 223.4+1 Sabbath school work is to make winning children to Christ its whole effort by gathering sheaves for the harvest, instead of expending time, money and effort on display through theatrical performances, musical display and training children to make speeches for special occasions which benefits no one.FE 253.1 Even children's small gifts to the treasury turn them from self-pleasing and illustrate bringing sheaves and first fruits as a privilege.ST Jan 8, 1885

Converted people should seek opportunities to warn and encourage those in spiritual darkness and invite them to come to the Saviour, though some will refuse and others will come.Ms 85, 1903, par. 22 Those converted through earnest unselfish labor also bring their tithes to the treasury, and church members accountable for gifts and influence should be ready to bring those helped to the Master at judgment, grieving a soul lost beyond influence.Ms 47, 1898, par. 23–24+1 Those who do not help in the work have no sheaves to bring and are like trees without fruit, while humble walking with God and helping others toward heaven brings many sheaves.Ms 8, 1889, par. 9+1 Spiritual growth toward harvest is progressive like blade, ear and full corn, with progress wanted rather than gathering earthly things, and faithful influence in a life of humble service continues beyond the worker's lifetime to bear eternal fruit.Ms 27, 1891, par. 18+2 The image is also echoed in being pressed beneath sheaves, where work and concern for others weigh heavily.Ms 192, 1898, par. 3–4

Labor for the last message of mercy in prayerful sorrowful proclamation will return with joy bringing the people won.Lt 139, 1898, par. 12–16 Going out to bring the message of salvation even through hardship and self-sacrifice, including carrying the warning throughout the world through books and practical help for the sick and suffering, is sowing in tears with a harvest of people receiving the words of life.RH Nov 23, 1905 Faithful sowing that deepens initial impressions through patient persevering teaching will gather sheaves, so workers must labor actively, press forward, seize opportunity, and make self-denying sacrifices rather than hesitate, slacken, delay or be distracted.Lt 240, 1905, par. 1–2+2 Those who embrace truth through a believer's labor are a harvest causing rejoicing on earth and in heaven, with each saved soul adding to the praise of the redeemed.Lt 69a, 1893, par. 2+2 Ministers who preach the word earnestly, speak to strengthen those facing temptation, and labor with genuine faith and willing submission will have more sheaves, as well-directed labor bears precious fruit.RH Dec 22, 1904+1