Black & White Series: Sowing & Reaping

Black and White Series 

Series Introduction 

Not all things in life are as simple as black and white, right or wrong, do or don't do; however, some things in life are, and I want to take some time to talk about some of those things. Let's journey together...

To read the first in the series about Do vs. Be click here.

Sowing and Reaping

Spiritually

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith" (Gal 6:7-10).

Financially

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 For 9:6-7).

Principle

The best imagery for understanding this principle of sowing and reaping is farming. A farmer's livelihood lies within this principle of sowing and reaping: things exist as a seed, they plant (sow) it into the ground and that seed brings growth and harvest (reaping). 

According to these Scriptures, our seeds are the spiritual actions we take and the money we give. Dealing practically with these seeds we can ask ourselves, "what will my actions produce if I do this or that [spiritually or financially]?" These actions will further cause a harvest in our life causing us to reap the benefits of all the seeds (our actions) that we have sown into the ground. Let me explain:

• When I show my love for my wife with affectionate hugs, encouraging notes, and acts of service, then it will produce--I will reap--a loving relationship where intimacy is present. 
• When I resist the lustful, selfish, jealous feelings and then reap a real loving relationship with others. 
• When I use my finances as a means to an end in godly affairs--tithing and giving--it produces the blessings that God can only give on finances. Such as:
• Buying a car at a third of what it is worth, 
• needs being met in community through other peoples generosity, 
• God providing housing, food, clothing, and medical insurance, and
• random financial blessings that my wife and I did not see coming. 

This is obviously not a comprehensive list, but these are testimonies of how this principle is lived out and the Scriptures reveal the faithfulness of God. 

The beautiful thing about this is the opening phrase in Galatians 6:7, "do not be deceived, God is not mocked." The question for us is this, where are we placing our faith? Is it in the result, or in God? These Scriptures are not just telling us a good idea; they are revealing to us who God is, and what he is like--we believe and obey the word because it puts us into a reality where we experience what God is like. The point of this is to say that God is not lying to us, as we can believe sometimes. Discouragement comes through circumstances that try to say otherwise such as: when children raised by God-loving parents suddenly walk away from the faith, our efforts at tithing and getting on a budget are thwarted because the car breaks down, you keep showing love to this person and they are not receiving it, you are trying to get physically healthy and hear that you have to have surgery, and so on... God is saying through this Scripture, do not quit! Do no loose heart, "for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." 

So what is the application here? Well, it is simple, do not quit and do not let discouragement define the day; rather, let the reality of living with God alter your atmosphere. Sometimes you have to be patient for the harvest--the trick is to learn to trust that God will bring the son and rain upon the seeds you have sown. 

Do not quit. Persevere. Reap the blessing.