As we’re tilling the soil and puttering in our gardens this spring, it’s a good time to review the principle of sowing and reaping that is mentioned throughout the Bible.
First, we reap what we sow. If I sow corn, I don’t get cucumbers. In the same way, if I go around sowing anger, that’s what I’m going to get in return. As we sow actions or attitudes, they’ll come back to us at harvest time.
Second, we reap greater quantities than we sow. One cucumber seed will produce a vine with many cucumbers. So let’s say you plant secularism in the schools. You take out the Gospel, the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and prayer. You sow humanistic secularism. Within a generation you’ll be reaping the most secular and morally confused society that’s even been. On the other hand, one Gospel witness can produce astounding results over time.
Third, we reap later than we sow. Sowing is what we do now. Reaping is what we do later. An article in the newspaper today said former basketball superstar Dennis Rodman is very sick, broke, unmarketable, drinking heavily, estranged from his family, behind in child support payments, unable to pay his bills, and in a generally pathetic condition. He sowed his wild oats with abandon, and now the harvest is around him.
For Christians, the law of sowing and reaping is very encouraging because it tells us that we don’t have to do great things. We just have to sow little seeds. Our part is on the front end. We can accomplish great things and achieve powerful results within the do-able spheres of our responsibilities. The power is in the transmission of the seed. Small actions and attempts at witnessing can produce tremendous results when watered by the Holy Spirit.
We reap what we sow, more than we sow, later than we sow. So let us not become weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we do not faint. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the household of faith.
P.S. – For my sermon from Galatians 6 on this subject, click here.