#2: We Reap The Same In Kind As We Sow Series

In 1974, the year I graduated from High School, Harry Chapin released a record album with the song entitled, “Cats In The Cradle". The lyrics of this song introduce the second Law of Harvest, "We Reap the Same In Kind as We Sow".

Cats In The Cradle

A child arrived just the other day

He came to the world in the usual way

But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay

He learned to walk while I was away, and he was Talkin’

’fore I knew it, and as he grew, he would say

I’m gonna be like you, dad, You know I’m gonna be like you

And the cat’s in the cradle, and the silver spoon;

Little boy blue and the man on the moon ;

When you comin’ home, dad, I don’t know when; But we’ll get together then

You know we’ll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day, he said

Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play

Can you teach me to throw, I said not today

I got a lot to do, he said that’s okay

And he, he walked away but his smile never dimmed,

it said I’m gonna be like him, yeah

You know I’m gonna be like him

And the cat’s in the cradle….

Well he came from college just the other day

So much like a man I just had to say

Son I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while

He shook his head, and said, with a smile

What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys

See ya later, can I have them please

And the cat’s in the cradle….

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away ; I called him up just the other day

I said, I’d like to see you, if you don’t mind, he said

I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time

You see my new job’s a hassle and the kids with the flu

But it’s been sure nice talkin’ to you, dad; It’s been sure nice talkin’ to you

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me; He’d grown up just like me

My boy was just like me

And the cat’s in the cradle… That’s a good Intro to our study this morning: In this second law we see four things I’d like to discuss this morning:

A. Beginning with the Beginning

This second law is a simple as planting seeds in the garden and as complex as raising children. It has its beginning in the days of creation to which God declared that everything was to produce after "its kind." READ Genesis 1:11-25

Grass, Seed Plants & Trees … vs.11-12; Sea Creatures … vs. 21a; Birds … vs. 21b; Land Creatures … vs.24-25

1. Simplicity of the Law

The simplicity of this law can be illustrated in two packs of seeds. I have a pack of yellow squash seeds and a pack of yellow sweet corn. Now according to God’s enactment of this second law, what do you suppose I will reap if I plant the corn? No doubt corn? And if I plant the squash will I harvest squash? Of course!

It doesn’t matter if I switch the seeds, to make myself think I am planting corn when I am planting squash. It is still squash! I can deny it and call it squash on the cob. But it is still squash! Why? "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Gal 6:7b)

2. Complexity of the Law

The complexity of the law is also found here. In Galatians 6:7 the phrases, "For whatever" makes this law all inclusive. It applies to everyone and everything we sow. Corn, squash, anger, attitudes, goodness, kindness and so forth. Everyone sows and everyone reaps! The phrase "also reap" makes the connection in kind to what we have sown.

Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit;

Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny.

3. Examples of the Law

a. Psalm 1:1-6: The person who shuns the counsel and company of the world and sows the Word of God into his life will reap a blessed and fruitful life. The person who sows ungodliness will reap an unstable life and the condemnation of God.

b. Psalm 5:10-11: Those who reject God’s counsel will be destroyed by their folly; those who persist in sin will reap the fruit of their activities. The person who sows an attitude of faith (marked by obedience and trust) will reap a season of rejoicing.

c. Psalm 7:15-16: Those who sow deception and prey off the lives of others will eventually be caught by their own devices.

d. Proverbs 11:18: Those who sow wickedness employ themselves in a deceitful work – it promises one thing, but delivers something else. Those who sow righteousness reap a sure reward – they will not be disappointed with the fruit of their labor.