The concept of sowing and reaping originated with God.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:7-9)
Implications of the Principle of Sowing & Reaping for Believers
As believers, we choose whether or not to engage in activities that have the potential of bringing about a lot of good for ourselves and others, as well as bringing glory to God. But, we must be careful, for even “Christian activities” can be done in a way that pleases the flesh rather than pleasing the Spirit. Here’s what we need to remember:
1) Outward appearances don’t impress God. He “weighs the heart” (Prov. 21:2). So, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
We might fool people by doing all the right things but eventually we will reap what we’ve sown. — A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Lk. 6:45)
2) What we sow into our lives will ultimately reveal itself for what it is. “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
We do not always see the good, or harm, our lives might bring but in the end, it will either count for eternity or not. — If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)
3) Since we will not always reap immediate fruit, it’s important we continue sowing good “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We will be more likely to persevere when we do what we do with the right motives, perspective, and attitudes. We will be less likely to persevere when our heart isn’t into it for everything we do flows from the heart (Prov. 4:23).
Sowing Good into Our Lives Discipleship Acrostics looks at what believers do (Bible reading/study, character development, giving, outreach, prayer, relationship building, serving, and worship) in light of good traits that need to be sown into these activities.