The law of the harvest is a continual theme throughout the Bible. What we see in scripture is that you will always reap what you sow. Meaning you will receive back just what you put in. Just ask the farmer who sows good seeds such as corn will receive a good crop. While a farmer who sows bad seeds such as thorns will receive a bad crop. This law is still in effect today and affects Christians and non-Christians alike. Even those who do not realize it.
In the Old Testament, we see the law of the harvest in effect when various groups of people acted in wicked ways. God would return the very actions they inflicted on others back on them. Those who destroyed were destroyed. Those who robed were robbed. Everyone always received the very same that they had sown.
Obadiah 15 (ESV)
15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
your deeds shall return on your own head.
Jeremiah 50:29 (ESV)
29 “Summon archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done. For she has proudly defied the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.
Ezekiel 35:15 (ESV)
15 As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
Habakkuk 2:8 (ESV)
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you,
for the blood of man and violence to the earth,
to cities and all who dwell in them.
Scripture in the Old Testament even warns of the same. Speaking in multiple places that everyone will always reap what they sow. Teaching that the law of the harvest is in effect and should always be considered. God can’t be tricked and He will always repay everyone with what they deserve. Those who sow good things will in turn receive back good while those who sow wickedness will receive back the same.
Proverbs 22:8 (ESV)
8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.
Job 4:8 (ESV)
8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity
and sow trouble reap the same.
Proverbs 11:18 (ESV)
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
While the law may no longer be required thanks to the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour on the cross the laws of life have not changed. Still today the law of the harvest is in effect. Paul wrote on the subject multiple times to ensure that we never forgot this principle of life. Even stating that God will not be mocked but will always cause everyone to reap what they sow.
Galatians 6:7 (ESV)
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
What does that really mean though? To start with, it means how you live will have an effect on your salvation. As the apostle goes on to say based on how people their life they will either receive corruption or eternal life. Those who continue to live sinful lifestyles will not see Heaven. But instead will reap their harvest in the perils of hell. While those who sow righteousness and are made new in Christ will be granted eternity in Heaven. Reaping the blessing of a life lived righteously and good seed sown. A message we see in other ways in scripture.
Galatians 6:8 (ESV)
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Not only that but how you treat others plays a role in the law of the harvest. As it has an effect on the treatment you receive from God. The Bible clearly says those who forgive others will themselves receive forgiveness. As well as that those who are merciful will, in turn, receive mercy. Two very important things that we should all desire to receive from God but won’t if we are not first willing to show them to others.
Matthew 6:14–15 (ESV)
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 5:7 (ESV)
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
James 2:13 (ESV)
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
The Bible also goes on to say that how we measure others will be the same way we are measured by God. Meaning the standard at which we hold others to will be the same standard God holds us to. Leaving no room for being a hypocrite. Calling us instead to show the same grace we hope to receive from God to others.
Mark 4:24 (ESV)
24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
The law of the harvest even has an impact on our finances according to the Bible. Clearly teaching that those who are willing to freely give will often receive in return a greater blessing. Yet, while those who hold tightly to what they have will gain no more or possibly even lose what they have. A testimony that can often be seen within our churches today.
2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV)
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Proverbs 11:24 (ESV)
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Christian or non-Christian this law is working in your life. Just take a moment to think over your life and see if you are not receiving back the very things you are putting into the world. I am sure you will see the picture begin to form. Showing that God’s word is true and that you have received back the very things you have sown. Whether anger or joy. Generosity or greed. What you have put in is what you have gotten back.
Everything we do matters and has a greater effect on our lives than we often realize. Throughout life, we will get back what we put in. Those who sow in joy and peace will see those very things returned back to them. Those who freely give will see blessings from it. While those who sow in anger, greed, and ill intent will see those same things return to them every time.
Then in the end we all will reap the harvest of what we have planted throughout our life as a whole. If you want to receive eternal life in Heaven then be sure you are sowing the right seed. Living out God’s word striving to always do the best you can. Otherwise, if you choose to live in wickedness and sin that is the harvest you will reap. As Paul said God will not be mocked so live your life according to the harvest you want to see. There is still time to start replanting the fields today but there may not be tomorrow.
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