Sowing & reaping: what are you planting?

The seed you plant is the crop you will reap.

Sowing and Reaping: What Are You Planting?

In a recent sermon from Pastor Adam Detamore at Realife Church, the timeless principles of sowing and reaping were explored in a powerful series called “Multiply.” These aren't just ancient agricultural concepts; they are spiritual laws with deep implications for our lives today. Pastor Adam broke these principles down into seven key laws:

1. What you keep is all you have. What you give, God multiplies.

2. You reap what you sow.

3. You reap in a different season than you sow.

4. You reap more than you sow.

5. You reap in proportion to what you sow.

6. You reap the full harvest only if you persevere.

7. You cannot do anything about last year's harvest, but you can about this year's.

One of the most profound truths is that what we give, God multiplies. Luke 6:38 teaches us that when we give, it will be returned to us in abundance—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. This concept was well understood in biblical times, where merchants would pack down grain to ensure a full measure, symbolizing generosity. Jesus used this illustration to show that the degree to which we invest in others will determine what we receive in return. He urged us to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom, with the assurance that everything else will follow.

The idea of reaping what you sow is echoed throughout Scripture. Galatians 6:7 reminds us that our actions, whether good or bad, have consequences that will come back to us. However, the harvest often comes in a different season than when we planted, and it’s typically far greater than our initial investment. This is the beauty of God’s economy—small acts of generosity, kindness, or faith can grow into something much larger than we could ever imagine. But here’s the catch: we only reap the full harvest if we persevere. Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary in doing good, because in due time, we will reap if we don’t give up.

So, what are we sowing? Is it money? Many people tend to shy away when pastors talk about tithing, but finances are just one part of what we sow. We also sow our time. The more time we spend on distractions, like binge-watching Netflix, the less time we invest in meaningful activities with our family. We also sow in service. How are we serving others around us? Do we know our neighbors? Serving others with our gifts and talents is often more impactful than simply giving money.

As we go about our lives, let’s remember that the seeds we plant today—whether in time, money, or service—will determine the harvest we see tomorrow. Let’s be intentional about sowing seeds of love, hope, and healing, trusting that God will bring about a rich and satisfying harvest in due time.

**Remember the seeds you plant today determine the harvest you’ll see tomorrow. Stay encouraged, stay faithful, and keep sowing those good seeds. Your actions today are shaping your future harvest.