A hobby farm is a small country estate of about three to ten acres.They are normally very beautiful, set along a nice river bank or rolling hills. The home is full of style and elegance. The yard is fully fenced and five or six chickens peck at the feed still laying in between the rocks.
The owners enjoys the outdoor life. The fresh air, the freedom from the city's fast pace. They normally work in the community so they can afford to keep their farm. The expenses are high considering the cost of feeding the horses, one or two cows and a few chickens. The machinery needs to be up kept. And the expense list can go on.
The main point of the hobby farm is enjoyment. The farmer does not need a harvest to keep it going. It does not rely on the resources it produces but on the other monies the farmer brings in from the outside to keep it running.
Contrast this against a real farm.
A real farm is large, with many acres to care for because all of the expenses must come from the harvest. The feed is faithful sown each year or they will go hungry or lose the farm completely if this was neglected.
Every animal is on the farm for food or work, no animal is allowed to stay for free. Each must pay the cost of living on the farm. The farmer normally has many animals also because he is not only providing for his own household but for the households of the nations.
The spring is a time of focus sowing. All time and energy is directed for the singular purpose of getting things in and ready for the harvest. The harvest is always the focus.
The farm takes much work to run. The work is hard but rewarding. Each person on the farm must be self motivated not waiting on a person to come and tell them to labour.
A church is like a hobby farm or a real farm. The way you can always tell is talk to the leaders and congregation about the harvest. If they take you on a walk and show you the facilities, the services and the music. If they focus your attention on how they care for its members and not on the care for the lost, you will know they are hobby farming.
If they show you how they make disciples and equip each person to declare their faith to a dying world. If they reveal a clear plan on how they are bringing each and everyone into the business of bringing in the harvest. And if they desire to present a clear gospel to you and those you love within the short time you know them, you know you have arrived at a real farm. A farm that looks for the harvest to sustain them.
Royal Heights, we must always be a real farm. We must always plant and water so the Lord will cause the increase because harvest time is coming! The harvest is not just a great time for the church, it is why it is in business!
Psalm 126
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
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