We Reap What We Sow Series

We Reap What We Sow

Genesis 19

29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.

30 Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave.

31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.

32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."

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36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.

37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day.

38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.

As we can see from this opening passage, Lot was spared because God remembered Abraham. It wasn’t for his own righteousness that he was saved, but because of Abraham’s intercession on his behalf. Just before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see Lot offering his two daughters to the men of the city in order to protect himself and his home. We can see a pattern of selfishness Lot has shown since the beginning. He was never after God, but was after selfish gain. He rode the coat tails of Abraham until his own possessions became so abundant that he began to fight over water and land for his livestock. When given the choice, Lot took the best land even though the promise was to Abraham. Lot walked by sight and never followed God or believed in God’s promises. Because Lot lived by the flesh, everything he produced was of the flesh. Therefore, God never honored Lot or his descendents. Lot’s choice of land was Sodom. In this study, I want to examine and compare Lot and Abraham based on what they sowed or invested their lives in. I believe their actions also represent our choice of actions. Each of these men sowed throughout their lives and everything sown was – and still is being reaped today.

Galatians 6 says:

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 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.

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

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The words “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” is either a blessing or a curse. You and I determine which side we fall on.

Reaping the Curse

Lot sowed in the flesh throughout his entire life. After investing his whole life in things, he saw his inheritance being destroyed inside Sodom. That in itself is a curse. Scripture teaches us that everything in this life is passing away. Sometimes ‘things’ pass away before we do and we will see all our labors lost. Proverbs 23:5 warns of this by saying, “Why do you set your eyes on that which not? For wealth certainly makes itself wings and flies like an eagle toward the heavens.” In spite of the fact that this life is uncertain and even if it was certain, it would be of no value once we stand before God, people still invest their entire lives in what is passing away. We want to live our lives contrary to God and still expect Him to bless us. The blessings of God do not come without obedience. Every promise of God is fulfilled through our obedience to God. In the same way, the path we choose will determine if we abide in God’s blessings or God’s curse. Look at Deuteronomy 28:

15 " But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

16 "Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.

17 "Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

18 "Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.