It is a well-known fact that what one sows is related to what one reaps. The cause (the seed sowed) produces the effect (the harvest). If you sow corn seed, then you may reap corn. If you sow wheat seed, then you may reap wheat. If you sow tares, then you may get tares. There are things that could happen that interfere with a successful harvest. However, generally speaking, one gets what he sows.

Let’s consider three passages. All three concern this principle of sowing and reaping.

1. “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).

Israel would reap the consequences of what they had sown. “Foolish Israel had sown ‘the wind,’ i.e. that which is without substance; in return they would reap a ‘whirlwind’- a storm suggesting the destruction that would come on them and sweep them away into Assyria” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets, p. 378). They had been warned that idolatry would have consequences (Deuteronomy 4:25-28; 30:17-18).

2. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

This is speaking of what controls a person. There are two ways to live. (1) One may live a life which is ruled by fleshly passions and desires (cf. Galatians 5:19-21, 24). (2) One may live a life which is led by the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:16, 18, 22-26).

One should not deceive himself. These lifestyles lead to two different hereafters. Living according to the flesh reaps corruption. Living according to the Spirit reaps everlasting life.

3. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

This passage is informative about bringing people to Christ, growing and maturing Christians, and how to grow the church. There must be planting (sowing the seed) and watering (nurturing care, continued teaching) for growth to occur. God deserves the credit for this growth. He made it possible. He put the power in the seed. David Hamrick has written, “Understand that there must be planting and watering before God gives the increase. So, we recognize that it is God who brings new life to a church. We are only privileged to play a part, but it is an important part” (David W. Hamrick, Waking the Sleeping Giant, p. 38). He provides these statistics, “Statistics show that 50% of Bible studies completed result in conversions. By studies completed, I mean those who willingly study the Bible with you through the entire course, whether it be three lessons or five or six. Therefore, if you conduct 20 complete Bible studies per year you should have 10 additions to the church. What would happen if you trained five members to conduct 10 Bible studies per year. The result would be 25 new converts each year. If there were 20 members who conducted 10 studies in a year, the result would be 100 new converts that year” (ibid, p. 121). However, Harold Taylor quotes Flavil Yeakley Jr. as saying, “The last time I surveyed the number (or percent) of members involved in personal evangelism, I found that only one percent of our members were actively involved in personal evangelism in that year – and most of them were on the church payroll… so we are averaging one lasting adult convert per year for every 160 members.” (ibid). Brethren, this should not be. The early church was very evangelistic (Acts 8:4). If we want the church to grow, we must be as well. This is the Biblical plan. There is no substitute. There is no other way! [Note, I once suggested in a church business meeting that the members practice personal evangelism, if they wanted the church to grow. A man replied, “Find another way” (in other words, we won’t do it). Brethren, there is no other way, biblically!]

What will you and I sow in this coming year? (1) Will you sow to the flesh or to the spirit? (2) Will we sow the seed in the hearts of others and water the seed that has been sown? Or will the seed remain in the barn (cf. Haggai 2:19)?