Sowing and Reaping–Planting and Harvest

Everyday we are planting and reaping

Joyce Webb 2010

When God made the grass, trees, and plants—He made them to grow seeds that would grow a new plant like itself. Genesis 1:11

The plants grew seeds “after its kind”.

In the spirit this is true also.

Galatians 6: 7 “ Be not deceived (fooled), God is not mocked (made fun of ) , whatever a man sows, he will reap.”

To sow is an old fashioned word for to plant or put seed into the ground.

Galatians 6: 8 “For he that sows to his flesh shall reap of the flesh, but he who sows to the spirit, will reap of the spirit life everlasting.”

Sowing seeds to the flesh means we spend time on things that are for this world only. Trying to make a lot of money, buying things–houses, cars, clothes, vacations, bikes, art, fancy things for our houses, gambling, shows—whatever—things that last just for this life.

Many of these things we need just to live. Some people give much time, thought and work to get bigger and better things. It is not just to have what they need. It is because they want more, better, bigger–so they can feel proud and have others think they are successful.

We can do that—we can spend our money and time for things here on earth, but when we die, it will all be left behind.

If some of that time and money had been spend on helping people know more about God, then that would last forever. When we get to heaven we would have something over there to show for our time on earth.

If we spend time feeding our bodies we will be healthy and maybe even fat.

If we spend time feeding our spirits we will be healthy in spirit and maybe even very full in the spirit.

The seed we sow—-grows.

II Corinthians 9:6 “He who sows a little, shall reap little: he who sows much will reap much.”

If we are generous to others, people will see and be kind to us. When it is our time of need, they will want to help us.

God watches. He will reward us. If we give to help others—He sees.

If we sow seeds of sin, we will reap nothing of value–it will be empty. If we rule over others in anger in the end it will fail.

Proverbs 22: 8 “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity and the rod of his anger shall fail.”

If you sow seeds of sin you will reap things you never wanted.

Using drugs seems like fun, being addicted to drugs is not fun. When people do it they think they will not become addicted. Strange thinking.

If they had a match and flame would they think they would not burn if they put their finger in it?

Why do people think that they will not get addicted to something? Are their bodies made differently than other people’s bodies?

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking are all addictive. Bodies work the same. If someone else you know has an addiction problem—your body works the same.

Do not do it the first time, then you will not have a problem stopping.

Some think they can do it just a little bit. How much poison can you take before you get sick or die? Drugs, alcohol and nicotine are all poisons.

Why start?

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. Proverbs 11:18

Hosea, the Old Testament prophet, says, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;” Hosea 10:12

Hosea 8:7 “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.”

What we sow grows. Do we sow anger or patience? Do we sow forgiveness and grace to others? Or do we sow unforgiveness and holding a grudge?

Do we sow tolerance or demands? Do we sow respect or disrespect and domineer (bossy rule that controls) others?

Do we sow kindness and generosity or do we sow selfishness, self-serving, and mean of spirit?

Do we sow discipline and self-control in our own lives or do we live carelessly and do not discipline ourselves?

Do we sow to our spirits in learning God’s word or do we think only about things for this earth?

Do we sow seeds of faith or seeds of worry? Do we sow seeds of right living or seeds of rebellion and going our own way?

Do we sow seeds of careful steady living or up and down lives ?

What we sow we will reap. What kind of seeds are you sowing in your life, or in the lives of those you live with?