When we read Galatians 6:6-9 carefully, keeping everything in context, we avoid the pitfall of believing the expression "You reap what you sow" is about putting in money or goods and receiving the same or more back.
I never did think that's what Heaven was saying.
In Jesus, sowing and reaping isn't like putting into a gumball machine and getting some great prize in return. It's not like that at all.
Instead, the New Testament Bible is saying to avoid situations where people are looking for something worldly, or where people are prone to harm you, and just keep close to Jesus, to talk with Heaven in prayer but to also keep in contact with other believers, talking about faith and everything else that's good — and sharing from the good you've been given, out of good relationship.
And the scripture is actually saying NOT to give in order to receive some THING. But give good teaching because you've been given good teaching, Heaven's word is saying.
And, sometimes, teaching can mean giving even a little something, from the heart.
You see, in Jesus, it's about doing or sowing to the Spirit, not about pleasing anyone in a fleshly or worldly way.
It's about working together in the Spirit, and even crying out and pleading for help from the Holy Spirit.
It's true: Sowing to the Spirit can mean crying out to the church or to Heaven about even the most horrid problems, expressing your dependence on Jesus.
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto [his teacher] all good things.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows [from a spiritual heart or unspiritual], that shall he also reap.
For he that sows [only to please] his [corrupt] flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to [please] the Spirit [in purity] shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:6-9, with editor's notes
4 comments:
But what about Luke 6:38-39 and other verses where Jesus tells us to give a few actual things? ... Actually, He's telling us not to give evil, not to give judgment that condemns people (6:37), but to give good from a pure heart. The overall message is about the condition of the heart when we do give.
Jesus says, "For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38) ... If the measure that we use when we give is all about money, for example, that's not spiritual giving. That's not giving from a pure heart. ... The overall message is to give from a spiritual move of heart: That's the measure Heaven needs.
Our Savior's message also includes a call to forgive, and to try reaching those in spiritual need through giving from the heart. ... "Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love ye your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return ... ." (Luke 6:34-35) Just expect to receive inner joy, a fullness of heart in Jesus. For "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine persons [who have already repented and become just by trusting in Jesus]. (Luke 15:7)
God lets you know when to give, and, truly trusting in Him, there's no regret in doing so, no matter what may seem to go wrong.
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