Sowing & Reaping Series

We have just experienced Daylight Saving Time. Although we may have lost an hour of sleep, the extra sunlight can make a big difference. For many people, the ever increasing amount of daylight in the average day, impacts their moods and their productivity. For the farmers, the sunlight makes a big difference as well. For a farmer, crop growth and yield are strongly affected by sunlight. Solar radiation is essential for plant growth. Plant leaves absorb sunlight and use it as the energy source for photosynthesis. Things that are planted, produce a more bountiful harvest with the light. It is the law of sowing and reaping.

The law of sowing and reaping is just as valid in the spiritual as in the physical and moral realms. The frustration and hopelessness of humanistic psychology, psychiatry, and counseling can be traced, among other things, to their refusal to consider the immutable spiritual law of sowing and reaping. A person’s character cannot change until their nature is changed, and that can happen only through the new creation that comes from trust in Jesus Christ.

In the context of our study in Galatians, Paul has shown the motives of the Judaizers, and what happens when we try to earn our own salvation. But for the faithful one, who works unto the lord will be rewarded with Godly fruit for their labour and one that is selfish, who lives unto themselves will bring ruin.

In Galatians 6:6-10, Paul instructs the Galatians, as us by extension in how to regard those who labour and see the principle of sowing and reaping to be universal laws that apply to everyone, everywhere. In this he explains: 1) The Precept: (Galatians 6:6) 2) The Principle behind the Precept: (Galatians 6:7-8), 3) The Promise: Galatians 6:9 AND FINALLY: 4) THE PROCEDURE: (GALATIANS 6:10)

In order to properly regard those who labor, we must understand:

1) The Precept: (Galatians 6:6)

Galatians 6:6 [6] One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. (ESV)

Share is from koinoneo, which has the basic idea of sharing equally. It is the verb form of the noun commonly translated “fellowship.” Paul is talking about mutuality, not of one party serving or providing for the other but of both parties sharing together (reciprocity: Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:4-14; 2 Cor. 8:7-9; 1 Tim. 5:8). Not only must we bear one another’s burdens in fellowship and aid those who bear them, there are also “good things,” spiritually and morally beneficial things, in which we should delight to have fellowship with those who possess these good things (Lenski, R. C. H.: The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistles to the Galatians, to the Ephesians and to the Philippians. Columbus, O. : Lutheran Book Concern, 1937, S. 303).

• Here we see an extremely practical application of the fruit of the Spirit. The love empowered by the Spirit is expressed in “goodness.” In practice, that means sharing good things (Hansen, G. Walter: Galatians. Downers Grove, Ill. : InterVarsity Press, 1994 (The IVP New Testament Commentary Series), S. Ga 6:6).

What exactly are these good things that we are called to share? Good things translates the plural of agathos, which is used in the New Testament primarily of things that are of spiritual and moral excellence. Not only are we to bear one another’s burdens, but share all good things.

• One way we do this corporately is in prayer request and praises

In this context to share all good things with the one who teaches the admonition is clear that as a teacher shares the good things of the Word of God, a believer is to reciprocate by sharing all good things with the one who teaches (Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:610). In the immediate context, to share implies to provide support at the same standard of living as the original recipients enjoyed. It was the principle that God laid down for the support of the Levites by the remaining tribes of Israel in Old Testament times (Edgar H. Andrews: Free in Christ: Welwyn Commentary Series. Evangelical Press. 1996. p. 315). Galatians may well have withdrawn material support from these church leaders in their infatuation with the new theology advanced by Paul’s opponents. In any event, Paul reminded them here, in the broader context of his command for them to bear one another’s burdens, of the importance of sustaining a faithful gospel ministry through generous financial support (George, Timothy: Galatians. electronic ed. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1994 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 30), S. 420).

• By extension, when someone is displeased with an aspect of corporate church ministry, they have an obligation to responsibly make their concerns known and not withdraw support. God has set in place both a means to support ministry and a means to deal with disagreements. When individuals fail to follow His directives in either, it is a direct offence against the one who has put these processes in place.