“There was once a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won first prize. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned the farmer’s strategy for growing winning corn. What was it? Simply this: the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbours. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked. “Why” said the farmer, “don’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbours grow good corn.””
We reap what we sow. This natural law was part of the physical world that God created. Plants and animals were designed to reproduce “according to their kind” (Genesis 1:11-12, 24-25). But we also learn that the same thing is true in the spiritual realm. If we choose to act in evil ways, we can expect a harvest of trouble. “One who sow injustice will reap disaster…” (Proverbs 22:8). Paul gave this warning to the churches of Galatia: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh will reap destruction…” (Galatians 6:7-8a). But if we choose to act in good and generous ways, we can expect a different kind of harvest. “The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward” (Proverbs 11:18). “Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness….” (Hosea 10:12).
We need to think carefully about the spiritual seeds we are sowing. Before speaking and acting, consider what kind of crop can be expected from such words and deeds. Will it bring a good harvest or an evil one?
God loves you!
Mike
*Source: reported in James Bender, How to Talk Well (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1994)
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