What Are You Sowing?

“Most of us want impressive results with minimal effort. But Paul urges us to sow with consistency.”

Have you ever felt the need to make a big change? Maybe it involved your finances, health, or relationships. In Galatians 6:8–10, the apostle Paul gives us helpful advice: “A man reaps what he sows” (v. 7). Paul is not describing the best way to plant a garden. Rather, he is explaining what we need to do (or “sow”) in order to get (or “reap”) the desired result.

When a man realizes his marriage is in trouble, he may go out to buy his wife a big bouquet of flowers. Now, he hasn’t bought her flowers in 20 years, so she is surprised and skeptical. “Are you hiding something?” she asks. “No!” He reassures her, “I’m trying a new thing!” While buying flowers was a nice gesture, it is only one good seed, not enough to turn a marriage around. Most of us want impressive results with minimal effort. But Paul urges us to sow with consistency: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (v. 9).

In 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul explains why the number of seeds also matters: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Jesus communicated the same message: “Give, and it will be given to you . . . for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). If we plant a small number of seeds, we would be foolish to expect an abundant harvest. Clearly, the quality and the quantity of the seeds we sow matters. Unfortunately, we often focus first and foremost on our own needs.

My first church began with only 18 people. It would have made sense to invest all of our time and resources on the needs of our small congregation. But we knew God was calling us to do more. So, we planted lots of seeds, reaching out to people in our neighborhood and across the city. God blessed our efforts, and those 18 grew into thousands.

Paul says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10). As we begin this new year, consider what seeds God might be calling you to sow. Trust Him to multiply your efforts and produce a rich harvest!