If you are a gardener you should be enjoying the fruits of your labor these days: corn, tomatoes, cukes all coming in nicely. It’s been a good growing year–just ask the person whose garden is overrun with zucchini!

You reap what you sow. That’s a Biblical truth, but it goes deeper than that. The full thought (II Corinthians 6:7-8) reads, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

In practical terms that could mean that she who smokes is likely to suffer lung disease, or he who screams at his children when they are young, could well have children who scream back when they are older.

Perhaps the man who works 70-80 hours each week will find, later in life, that he is alone; his wife having become weary of his constant absence. It could also mean that the person who ignores God in this life will find herself separated from God in the life to come.

You need look no further than your garden to recognize that the saying is true–you do reap what you sow. Do your best to sow righteousness today. You will reap God’s blessing in due time. Pastor Jim.