Sowing and Reaping. Galatians 6:6-8.
Dear Heirs with Christ of the Kingdom of God,
Today’s passage is intertwined with the next (vv. 9-10) and they basically have a common thread, but we will deal with them separately. The idea of sowing and reaping has been misrepresented and abused but it is a concept rooted in the Bible. Instead of “throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” we will try to understand Paul’s teaching about this matter.
Sharing (v. 6). Christians are expected to share all “good things” with their teachers. The logic for this is found in the teaching of Paul elsewhere, that “You shall not muzzle while it treads out the grain” (1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18) where Paul is quoting the law (Deuteronomy 25:4) and “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18) where he quotes the words of Jesus (Luke 10:7). Often, preachers are told to “get a real job.” In some countries, pastoring is not recognized as a “real profession” and preachers are expected to train in a trade. Studying and “rightly dividing the word of truth” is far from a lazy pastime. It demands discipline and hard work.
That most churches have started income-generating projects in order to support pastors and missionaries is good and commendable, but it also is an indictment on the flock that has failed in its responsibility to the wards of the church.
Sowing (v. 7). The natural understanding of this verse in its context is that “sharing” is the sowing and reaping that arises from the fruit of what is sowed. The opposite is sowing selfishness and indifference. We can begin to see here the subtle distinction that most people miss – the intention in the sowing ought to be on order to share and the sharing ought to be with the one who has invested in the sharing of the word to us. When you sow in order to get a wish or a prayer answered, you are trying to manipulate God! A heart that seeks to be a blessing to one who has been a blessing in the ministry of the word is what God is looking for.
Separating (v. 8). There is a simple line of demarcation in all our actions – motive. This is what determines whether we are operating in the realm of the flesh (sinful nature) or the realm of the Spirit. The outcomes are just as distinct. Ultimately, it is all about eternal destiny. Sowing to the flesh yields corruption. This world means decay and is used by an animal or person that dies and rots. That is what we harvest when we are driven by selfishness, even when we give! The opposite is the motivation of the Spirit, whose intention is always to glorify Christ (John 15:26; 16:13-14). The harvest is eternal life. Let us remember that life is an expression of quality. The wicked will also exist forever but theirs can hardly be called life. Ours, on the other hand, is an eternal state of contentment in the presence of our loving Saviour. How is your sowing going?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.