You Reap What You Sow

We have heard most of our lives the phrase, “You Reap What You Sow,” but have we really ever pondered what that means?

This term originally was an agriculture term. Reaping is a practice of harvesting or pulling up wheat when it is grown. Of course, the grain had to be planted, or sowed, first before it would grow. If the grain, or the seed, was planted incorrectly and not nurtured, there would be a bad harvest. If the grain, or seed, was planted correctly and nurtured, the farmer would gather a good harvest.

“Don't be misled--you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” - Galatians 6:7-8 NLT

Last year my husband planted our very first garden. We were excited about having fresh vegetables. I had never canned vegetables before, but envisioned myself getting into all the canning know-how like my parents have always done all my life, and still do.

The garden was on a slope of dirt between two construction projects we had just finished – a shop and a fire pit pergola. We thought that empty space would be perfect for a garden.

As my husband planted the various vegetables, watered it and kept the weeds out, we soon became disappointed at the harvest. It just didn’t produce like we had hoped it would.

After much thought about the situation, my husband figured out the plants were either getting too much water, especially the rows below the top row as water flowed in that direction, or not getting enough water because it was running down to the other rows in the slope. We had a bad harvest that year.

However, the next year my husband put in a French drain on each row and also built the rows up to balance the water. He labored and put great effort into the hope of a harvest. We had an abundance of vegetables that second year!! We had more than we needed and were able to give much away as well.

Scripture teaches that we, as Christians, have been taught the message of giving what we have. In other words, sowing into other people’s lives. We should never get tired of giving, because we will reap what we have sowed - all in God’s timing - if we don’t give up.

As the doors of opportunity open, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who are fellow believers. How much effort and work do we really put into the hope of a harvest?

“So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith.” -Galatians 6:9-10 NLT

The cliché, “You Reap What You Sow,” represents good deeds versus bad deeds and is compared to a good harvest versus a bad harvest. The book of Hosea tells us that if we sow for ourselves righteousness then we will reap the fruit of unfailing love.

“I said, 'Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.'” -Hosea 10:12 NLT

There are two types of seeds we can sow: worldly seed and spiritual seed. Scripture teaches us that if we sow to the worldly seed we will only harvest destruction.

Those who live a carnal, sensual life rather than living their lives to honor God and the good of others, spend all their time meeting their own needs and desires, sowing into themselves. Their lives are meaningless and full of short-lived satisfaction that only leads to misery.

However, if we sow the spiritual seed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will reap life everlasting. The work will pay off with the most peaceful and satisfied lives - peace and joy beyond our imagination!

So you choose your course: The self-centered course of destruction, satisfying your own sinful nature or a life devoted to God and service sowing into others which brings the ultimate satisfaction.