Let’s begin in the beginning.
To learn about sowing and reaping, we must begin in the beginning, where we learn God created the heavens and the earth … God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good. (Genesis 1:1, 31) Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work (Genesis 2:1-2).
Notice the order of God’s actions. First, he put in six days of excellent work, then after everything was completed, God rested. The world operates on a pleasure now but pain later basis, but God’s Kingdom operates on a sowing and reaping basis. This is not some trivial matter; in fact, look at it again because order is vitally important. First, you do the hard work in faith, trusting that later you will receive a great harvest, indeed a multiple, greater than what you have sown.
Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field, and afterward build your house.” – Proverbs 24:27
If we plant fruit trees and tend them with care, then in due time, following God’s laws, we should reap a great harvest, greater than anything we could produce ourselves – living beauty, shade, food, and provision, producing for many years to come.Â
Instead of seeking immediate short-term gain with long-term pain, God encourages us to put in the hard work first, and He will bless it and multiply it so that in time you will be greatly rewarded for your diligence.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty; but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5
Another example, if you have a spending spree on your credit card or buy a flash new car using vehicle finance, you might receive immediate short-term gain, but then be stuck paying high interest on those purchases for a long time. If so, you’ve become a servant to the lender, paying for the purchases multiple times over in interest. It is better to save up for what you need and receive it freely, without being saddled with years of suffocating interest and debt. This is the path to financial freedom.
Helpful Bible verses:
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This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself, the soil produces grain – first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. – Mark 4:26-29
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Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.- Luke 6:38
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Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly. Whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. – 2 Corinthians 9:6
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Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality. – 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
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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 doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:7-9
