Reaping

Galatians 6:6-10 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also 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. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

Many times we read, " Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" as a threat, I see it as a beautiful promise. It's so easy to get caught up where you are and get comfortable. It's so easy to lose sight of your dreams but you may be closer to archiving your dreams and walking in your destiny than you imagined. 

Sow means to plant, disperse, or distribute. Reap means to cut or gather. I think we forget both words are verbs, they require action. I don't know about you but sometimes I get so caught up in sowing that I forget to change my action and began reaping. God does not intent for us to labor in vain however, we do so when we do not collect our harvest. After-all, what we reap will always be greater than what we sow. 

I realize, more and more, success is a promise for those who work hard. Then why are there so many hard working unsuccessful people? My answer is, they haven't learned to reap. Reaping requires both cutting and gathering. 

We are taught in school to work hard, meet deadlines, learn strategies to improve business, proper conduct and dress. Rarely do we learn salary negotiations, entrepreneurial building blocks, or personal branding  and selling. Frankly, we are not taught to be reapers. Our society treats sowers and reapers as two different kinds of people. This scripture states the sower and reaper are one and the same. 

You have to look at what you've sown and change your behavior to act in accordance to the receiving of your harvest. What does the bible say about reaping? 

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

According to scripture we should not lose heart, give, and trust that we will get a return. Why would we lose heart? Is it because we get tired of sowing? No, it's because reaping means to cut and gather. Reaping may be uncomfortable and at times down right painful, however you cannot gather what you have not cut off. You cannot enjoy the fruit of your labor until you remove some things from your life. 

We talked about cutting, let's talk about gathering. We live in a society where it's so easy to connect, that it's hard to connect. It's becoming increasingly uncomfortable to form relationships with people on a personal level. Few people talk on the phone with their friends now. Communication is done via texting, Facebook, or other social media. Gathering is a hands on job. You not only have to cut, you have to gather. You have to pull things, or people together in order to receive the fullness of your harvest. 

The bible also tells us to give. A lot. The more we give the more we get. So yes take the hard work of your harvest and give it away because you cannot beat God giving. When you give, give cheerfully, give with an expectant heart. Have faith that the God you serve will keep His word. 

Lastly, reaping is never done alone. Farmers do not reap their bounty alone, so recognize the season your in, reach out to your family and friends because what you reap will be more than what you've sown and you cannot consume it alone.

Father,

Thank you for the season of harvest. Thank you for the bounty and we trust our returns on our investments will be great because we trust you and your word. Allow our increase to be a testament of your grace and generosity may it be used as a tool to draw the hearts of people to you. We thank you, we love you. In Jesus name, amen.