Sowing and Reaping

God created the world, and it operates according to the rules He established. This includes times of “seedtime and harvest” (Genesis 8:22). The outcome of the harvest depends (in part) on what was planted, when it was planted, and how it was done. This illustration of sowing and reaping is used throughout the Bible. As we consider some passages that describe sowing and reaping, we learn about what we are to do, what we are to avoid, and what the consequences are of our choices.

Sow Iniquity, Reap Vanity (Proverbs 22:8)

• When we give ourselves over to sinful behavior, we are sowing iniquity in our lives – many do this because they only look at the “good” they gain from sin; they ignore the consequences in this life (Proverbs 13:15) and the next (Romans 6:23)
• The wise man indulged in pleasure, but realized it was vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11) – our purpose is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13); when we forget this, we end up miserable and without any real purpose

Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)

• Our decisions have consequences – Israel sinned and rejected what was good (Hosea 8:1, 3-6); because they forsook God, He was forsaking them; judgment was coming against them
• We are warned of this as well (Hebrews 10:26-27) – if we disobey God and serve other “gods,” the result is more than just a meaningless life [first point]; divine judgment awaits us

Sow Righteousness, Reap Kindness (Hosea 10:12)

• After warning of the consequences of their sin, the prophet admonished them to change their ways – they could reap God’s blessings IF they sowed seed in their lives according to righteousness; in other words, they were to repent of their sin and obey the Lord
• We are no longer to give ourselves over to sin (Romans 6:13) – serve the Lord instead; if we obey Him, we will be saved (Hebrews 5:9; cf. Revelation 22:14); we can receive the blessings of God’s kindness if we live according to His righteousness

Sow Sparingly, Reap Sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6)

• Paul wrote this as he discussed their giving on the first day of the week (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) – we must give purposefully and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7); this is not about a specific amount or a percentage of our income; it is about having the right attitude
• Paul told them that the more they gave, the more could be done – he encouraged them to be like the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 8:2-3, 5); if we fail to give as we should on the first day of the week, there will be fewer resources available than if all the members gave “bountifully” in support of the work of the church

Sow to the Spirit, Reap Eternal Life (Galatians 6:8)

• This verse encapsulates what we have discussed in the other verses – if we focus on material things and fulfilling fleshly desires, the outcome is “corruption”; if we focus on spiritual things and follow the word the Spirit revealed, we will obtain “eternal life”
• Paul contrasted the mind set on the flesh and Spirit elsewhere (Romans 8:6) – as we follow the Spirit, we are hoping for the inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4)

Conclusion

• We reap what we sow – this is affirmed in the natural world and in God’s word
• The choices we make and actions we perform have consequences – in this life and in eternity
• So let us put away sin, practice righteousness, put the Lord first, and follow the direction of the Spirit