Galatians 6:6-8 – You Will Reap What You Sow
The big contrast here in v8 is between sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit. Paul is showing what the consequences will be of each of these types of lives. If someone sows to the flesh, if they live lives of sensuality, idolatry, drunkenness, and so on – they will reap corruption. But if someone lives a life marked by the fruit of the Spirit, they will reap eternal life.
Now nearly the whole of the letter of Galatians has been arguing that you’re saved by Jesus, not by what you do. But clearly Paul doesn’t see it as inconsistent with that to say: if you live this way, you’re not going to Heaven. But if you live this way, it will be a sign that you aren’t. That’s how important it is to sow to the Spirit and not to sow to the flesh. Because you will reap what you sow.
So what does it look like to sow to the Spirit, and what does it look like to sow to the flesh? Well it always helps to look at a concrete example. And Paul himself gives us one in v6. Those who hear the Word preached have an obligation to financially support the one who’s preaching. And that, says Paul, is a concrete example of what sowing to the Spirit looks like. What’s at stake is whether we value God’s word or not.
With every pay cheque, we are faced with the question: ‘Am I going to use this to sow to the Spirit, or to sow to the flesh?’ That’s equally the case for ministers as for church members. Am I going to spend this all on myself? Or am I going to give a portion back to God to invest in his kingdom? What you sow, you’ll reap.
Another area of life where we have to choose between sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit is our intake of God’s word. If you as a professing Christian are infrequent in your attendance at church, and hardly ever read your Bible, then when temptation or trouble comes, you’re going to crumble. If you sow to the flesh by filling your mind only with what’s on the news or celebrity gossip or an endless diet of tv or social media, don’t be surprised when you reap corruption.
In every area of your life, there will be an opportunity to sow the Spirit. And a temptation to sow to the flesh. So in light of God’s Word, will you ask yourself that question in the different things you do this week. ‘Am I sowing to the Spirit? Or am I sowing to the flesh?’
Questions
- What is the consequence of sowing to the flesh?
- What are some examples of sowing to the Spirit?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would sow to the Spirit this week.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.