We will reap what we sow

https://odb.org/2026/05/13/waiting-for-the-harvest-2

Galatians 6:7–10 (NIV): 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 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. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

In 1962, Joanne Shetler and Anne Fetzer made an arduous trek by bus and foot into the rugged mountains of the Philippines to share the gospel with people who’d never heard of Jesus. For five years, they translated Scripture into the people’s language, but the Balangao villagers weren’t receptive. They did, however, help build a primitive landing strip so new supplies could be flown in. One day, a plane dubbed “magic from another world” by the people arrived. The pilot then flew a deathly ill, pregnant village woman to a faraway clinic. When the plane later returned with the recovered woman and her healthy newborn, the people began asking about “this God” they’d been told about. Soon the village had a church full of believers in Christ. (Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread 13th May 2026)

In Galatians 6:7-10, Paul emphasizes the theme of sowing and reaping—that is, that the choices we make come with real consequences. A life guided by “the flesh” (self-reliant human nature focused on self-gratification—5:16-21) inevitably leads to “destruction,” whereas a life guided by Christ’s Spirit leads to “eternal life” (6:8) and an abundant “harvest” (v. 9). Remembering this principle can strengthen the resilience and fortitude of believers in Jesus as they seek to “serve one another humbly in love” (5:13). (Monica La Rose, Insight, Our Daily Bread 13th May 2026)

One of the spiritual principles I believe most of us are well acquainted with is this principle of sowing and harvest although we are mostly taught sowing. In reaching out and preaching the Gospel, we are to just sow the seeds of faith and as we sow, we pray that one day, those seeds will take root and grow into big trees on fertile ground (representing the hearts of those we sowed). Ultimately, salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit and we need to always remember that humans are bestowed a will to make his or her decision. It’s a free will acceptance of Christ that is real and genuine.

But God also promises a harvest as a labourer is worthy of his wages (1 Timothy  5:18). Wages in the sense that we want to see the fruition of our efforts. If we work to set up an outreach, we want to see it thriving with the glory of God, if possible, in our lifetime. Some harvest can only be seen in generations to come where whole villages come to faith.

Taken at a wider context, sowing also speaks of what we invest in for our lives. In Galatians 6:7-9, Paul reminds us that a man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, will reap eternal life. Therefore, let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

This is similar to the concept promulgated and articulated by our Lord Jesus Christ that we store up riches in heaven where moth and rust will not destroy. Everlasting treasures are in heaven written in our names, treasures we can enjoy at the time when we live for eternity. For we know that we come to this earth naked and we will leave naked; from dust to dust. Nothing from this world we can bring over when we pass on. We will reap what we sow. So will we reap eternal life or destruction and damnation? Are we on the narrow road that leads to eternal life?

Heed Paul’s advice – do not stop doing good, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10). Do good whenever we have the opportunity. Do not grow weary doing good. One day, we will reap the harvest. When we do good, we are also sowing towards our riches in heaven and we will reap what we sow!