WHAT YOU SOW YOU SHALL REAP

Many of us, if not all, are familiar with the verse “what you sow, you shall reap.” For sure a farmer understands this very well. If he wants to harvest apples, he plants apple seeds and not mango seeds. If he sows wheat, he shall also reap wheat. Simple as that.

But what does this verse from Galatians 6:7 actually mean to us? As we take a closer look at the principles of sowing and reaping, we will understand what it means and how we can apply it in our everyday lives.

I. What you sow you will reap.

As this verse is true in agriculture, so it is in the life choices we make. Every kind of seed will produce fruit like itself. And so it is with regard to our works. If we sow love and kindness towards other people, we will also be treated the same. If we sow hatred and bitterness, the same treatment will also be shown to us.

Luke 6:45 tells us that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. Proverbs 11:25 also tells us “a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

If we sow good seed, we will reap good fruit but if we sow bad seed, certainly, we will reap bad fruit (Job 4:8).

II. What you sow you will reap many times over, across generations.

We can see in the life of Jochebed how she had sown really well in the life of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. As a parent, she was faithful to raise up her three children. Generation after generation has benefitted from these three great leaders of Israel. Even up to this day, Moses’ life still speaks to us.

The same is true when we sow seeds to our children or even to the people around us. It is bound to spill over across many generations. May we be sowing good seeds that will benefit the generations to come.

III. We sow knowingly and unknowingly every day.

As the farmer spreads his seeds across the farm, he knows where to expect the crops would grow. During this process though, there will also be seeds that will fall outside the farmer’s land.

Like a farmer, there are times that we consciously sow seeds. Reaching out to a person in need, encouraging a friend or colleague in distress, and giving to charity are some of the examples of consciously planting seeds in other people’s lives.

But there are also other times when we are not aware that we are actually sowing seeds. Little acts of kindness to a person, saying little prayers, or just being by a person’s side could have a big impact on someone’s life without us knowing it.

What do we do when we sow bad seeds?

Romans 2:6 says that God “will render to each one according to his deeds.” So what do we do when we realize that we have uttered words or done actions that hurt other people?

Acts 3:19 says, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” 

Acknowledging that we have sinned, having the humility to ask God for forgiveness, and making things right before the Lord will lead us back to God’s ways. This is true repentance.

But repentance is just the first part. A progressive, ongoing relationship with God is what will cause us to produce quality fruits with quality seeds that we then eventually sow in others.

What are the various areas where we can sow and reap?

I. Sowing and Reaping in the Physical.

Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Lord. Therefore, we are called to be good stewards of our own body.

In order for athletes to hit their goal in the sports that they are in, they develop their physical strength and endurance by exercising and eating nutritious food every day.

We, too, want to fully achieve the calling or mark that God has set for us (Philippians 3:14). So let us be like the athletes who sow good food in their bodies so we could run our race and finish well.

II. Sowing and Reaping in our Emotions.

The Lord desires for us to sow and reap abundantly in our emotions. He wants to make sure that our emotions are in order all the time. Why? Uncontrolled emotions such as rage and anger towards other people can have repercussions.

A very angry parent can utter curses to his or her own children which can break their spirits. The impact of this could be seen even until adulthood. Children can become withdrawn, insecure, and timid. They can carry such emotional baggage until they grow up.

The repercussions of uncontrolled emotions can spill over throughout many years. The parents sow and the children reap. We should remember that reaping is always disproportionate with what we sow.

We sow one seed, we reap in many fold.

Partiality is another area of emotion that we need to be in control of. It can hinder us from advancing the kingdom of God. How?

We may be focusing only on the people we feel like reaching out to but neglecting those who also really need the Lord. May we have a heart like that of our Heavenly Father, who gives chances to all and is good to all, regardless of race and background.

Our God is a God of diversity. May our reach be wider by being impartial to all.

III. Sowing and Reaping in our Finances.

Mark 12:41-44 tells us about the poor widow who threw in her two mites into the treasury. When Jesus saw it, He called His disciples and told them that the poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury, for they all put in out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had.

When God is pleased, He calls witnesses to talk about the person who pleased Him. And because He was so pleased with this woman, Jesus didn’t just call His disciples to witness her testimony - He called the whole world’s attention from generation to generation.

When we give our all, the return is very great. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6).

IV. Sowing and Reaping in the Spirit

Hannah had sown and reaped in the spirit. We can read in 1 Samuel 1:10 that she wept in anguish as she prayed to the Lord for a child.

Psalm 126:5-6 says, “those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.”

Hannah lived out this Word when she received her son, Samuel. Her son didn’t just bring rejoicing to her but Samuel also brought joy to the Lord. So let us be encouraged in praying and interceding for people until we see the Lord fulfill His promises.

V. Sowing and Reaping in People

We can read in 1 Samuel 22:1-2 how David had sown as a leader to 400 distressed, indebted, and discontented men in the cave of Adullam. He accepted the miserable state of his brethren. Together with the Lord, he invested in them. He went to battle after battle with them until they became a great and mighty army who helped him conquer Mount Zion – his place of inheritance.

Just like David, maybe we know we are supposed to reach out to people who may be a little challenging. But together with the Lord, we can gradually sow seeds of agape love, kindness, and gentleness in those people.

And as we wait for the seeds we sow to bear fruit, may we hold on tightly to Galatians 6:9 which says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”