“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” (Proverbs 11:17, ESV)
We’ve often heard that we reap what we sow, and according to Galatians 6:7 that is a true statement. A farmer cannot plant beans and then hope to reap corn. The same is true in everyday life. We cannot sow hatred and expect to reap love. We cannot hold a grudge and expect to reap forgiveness. Nor can we sow anger and reap peace. That’s why we must be careful to only sow good things in life. Only plant what you are willing to reap.
Colossians 3:12-13 lists several qualities that a child of God should possess.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (ESV)
When we sow these things into the lives of others, we make our world a better place. But we are also blessed as well as these same things are returned to us. It’s not that we do these things just for our own advantage, but it’s the law of sowing and reaping in action. This quote says it well.
“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” —Saint Basil
Let’s look at three people in the Bible who chose to plant good things and reaped blessings in return.
Ruth’s Love and Kindness
We are familiar with the story of Ruth, the Moabite who chose to leave her homeland and care for her widowed mother-in-law. Ruth showed kindness and love toward Naomi. In turn, kindness and love were returned to her by Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. A woman of character but not a Jew, Ruth is listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
Joseph’s Kindness and Forgiveness
Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery by his own brothers. Was it fair? Not at all. Yet years later when those same brothers arrived in Egypt to find food during a famine, he chose to show kindness and forgiveness. He did not choose revenge, and his life was richer because of that choice. Joseph was reunited with his father and was able to introduce his sons to their grandfather.
Dorcas’s Kindness and Compassion
In Acts 9 we read the story of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, who was raised to life when Peter prayed. She is described as being “full of good works and acts of charity.” We know little about her except for her kindness and compassion toward widows. God blessed her by extending her life.
Sow Bountifully
When a farmer plants his crops, he knows that the abundance of his harvest will depend on how much seed he sows. This principle carries over in our lives as well. The more we spread seeds of kindness, love, forgiveness, and other Christlike qualities, the more those things will be returned to us.
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (II Corinthians 9:6, ESV)
Sow wisely and sow bountifully.
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