I’ve been thinking some on the maxim, “You reap what you sow.” This understanding is rooted in scripture. If we look at this through our understanding of God’s moral order, it does make sense. Whatever you put out into the world, it will eventually come back to you in some form.
The primary verse in the Bible where we glean this is in Galatians 6:7-8…”Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please the flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Paul’s intention in writing this was to remind believers that their actions, choices and investments matter. How, why, and what they do and say have implications for their future. It is a divine principle rather than just a concept of “what goes around, comes around.” A person might not see the results of their words and deeds immediately, but a harvest will eventually come.
When I see those in power who seem to think they can engage in acts of war, violence, and horror, and believe they can do so with impunity, it makes me sad beyond belief. We are a part of God’s grand design, and whatsoever we put out into the world around us, will have implications for our future.
Rabindranath Tagore is reputed to have said, “those who plant trees, knowing that they will never sit in their shade, have at least started to understand the meaning of life.” This saying refers to the selfless acts and legacy of those who act with an understanding of what they do and say will bring a harvest at some point. True enough, they may not be around for the harvest, but they know others will and they act accordingly. Wanting others to be blessed and cared for in some future time.
A couple other verses of scripture that relate to this whole idea of what we do matters…
2 Corinthians 9:6…”Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Proverbs 22:8…”Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster.”
We are being plainly advised there is a direct correlation to what we say and do, and what will come back to us at some point in the future.
As people of God, we are encouraged to act on behalf of the most vulnerable in our midst. We are told what God wants from us, which is to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God. A humble walk with God acknowledges we are to carefully decide on how and what we do. Each action begets another action. Each word begets other words.
In a time where we see so much that can sadden us and give us a bleak view of what the future may hold, we also must remind ourselves what we are capable of. God has endowed each one of us with the ability to put out into the world acts of kindness, mercy, forgiveness and love. We can each do our part, and it too will come back many fold. Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9…”So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time.” A person in power’s words and actions may seem all consuming. The words and actions of lesser known and seen may seem insignificant, but that is simply not so. When enough of us band together with our words and deeds fixated on sowing the seeds of goodness, the world will change.
Let’s you and me be change agents in our corners of the world. Let’s you and me sow as much of the fruits of God’s love as we can. Maybe we will see the harvest in our time, or maybe not. But we can be assured what we do and say matters, and it will bear much fruit.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom