Reap What You Sow

This fall is an exciting time for many. Harvest is in full swing and many are reaping a great harvest this year. As I drive around and see the combines running in the fields, I am reminded of what Paul said in Galatians 6:7: Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. I am reminded of a number of truths.

First of all, last spring when the farmers planted their corn seed, they did not expect to harvest beans in that field. When they planted bean seeds, they did not expect to harvest cotton. The point is that we often need to be reminded that whatever we sow in our lives we can expect the same thing in return. If we plant the seed of jealously, then I can expect jealousy in my life. If I plant the seed of bitterness, I can expect bitterness to grow. If I plant the seed of the Word of God in my life, then I can expect that I will grow in the things of God. If I plant the seed of materialism in the life, I can expect that not only I, but my children, will want materialism. We often forget that what we sow in this life, we can expect when we harvest. That is why Paul made that statement in Galatians 6. He is reminding the Galatians believers that they need to watch what kind of seeds they plant in their lives, because not only they will reap what they sow, but their families will reap it as well.

Secondly, If I plant only one seed, that is all I will harvest, one plant. If I sow sparingly, I will reap sparingly. A farmer will plant as many seeds as he can to maximize their yield. As a believer, I need to do the same. If I want to reap a great harvest of souls for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, I must sow much. I sow the seed of the Word of God every time I give a tract out, each time I live right before others, each time I speak about God. The more times I throw out the gospel, the better rate of return.

Then thirdly, I must plant my seeds where there are no weeds. Weeds will always choke out the planted seed and diminish a good harvest. When I plant my seeds, I must not mingle them with anything else. The gospel in its pure form is enough to change people’s hearts. Paul mentioned many times in Corinthians to preach the Gospel. He told Timothy to preach the Gospel, be instant in season out of season. The reason many are not able to reap a harvest of souls is that we put other things into the gospel. The gospel is simply: how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 16:3-4).

If you have trusted Christ as Savior, as you see the farmers harvesting, may we be reminded to make sure we are able to harvest the right things in our lives - things like righteousness, godliness. May we be able to harvest a great harvest for Him. If you never accepted Him as Savior, I invite you to do so today, so you can begin harvesting the right things in your life.

Excerpted from a message by:
Pastor Bob Eshleman, Harmony Baptist Church, Galesburg, IL