Being a Disciple Maker: Sowing & Reaping

via TJC

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Gal 6:7-8 (ESV)

With your next meal if you ask, “Where does our food come from?”, you may hear “Supermarket” or “Uber Eats”, rather than from farm, ranch or ocean. For so many to live isolated from their source of food is a relatively new phenomenon in human history. As recently as the first US census (1790), 90% of the labor force noted their occupation as “farmer”, with many professionals (Doctors, Lawyers, Ministers) also tending their own gardens, chickens, etc.

If you are not already familiar with growing things then listen up, because the principle of Sowing & Reaping (or Planting & Harvesting) applies to all. It is a Law of Life which God has woven into creation to demonstrate that actions have results, spiritually. Like the Law of Gravity, it applies whether you choose to believe it or not.

Laws of Life:

1. Reap what you sow (Gen 1:24): A farmer doesn’t sow wheat and expect to harvest corn, nor sow tomatoes and expect watermelons. If you want to eat tomatoes (from your garden), then you need to plant tomatoes. If you sow anger or stress in your relationships, then do not expect to reap peace.

2. Reap more than you sow (Luke 6:38): A farmer expects a return on investment. Likewise, the (good or bad) seeds you plant today will return with abundance at harvest time. Therefore consider the types of seeds you are planting.

3. Reap in proportion to what you sow (2 Cor 9:6): A farmer doesn’t plant 1 tomato seed and expect to harvest from a whole field. If you expect to harvest much, you have to be planting much (that is, investing in more than 1 relationship).

4. Reap later than you sow (Gal 6:9). A farmer plants and waits patiently, knowing that every seed takes time to grow and eventually bloom. Whether or not you see the results right away, every action does have consequences. When investing positively in relationships, be patient (like the farmer) knowing that things of value take time and sacrifice

For this author, I have considered the spiritual seeds that I’ve been sowing and am looking forward to the harvest. I am also encouraged to plant much more.

Daily Battle Order: Consider the kind of seeds you are planting - and will that yield the kind of harvest you want?