We will harvest what we plant

By Ed Jordan

I am startled by the trend occurring in American culture, where many people are fixated only on momentary feelings or impulse decisions. Few people seem to think through the implications of a decision or action to evaluate its long-term effects. Many are busy planting seeds, but without ever considering the type of seeds they are planting, or what will grow from those seeds, or what they will do with the plants that grow from their seeds.

The Bible warns us to be careful about the kind of seeds we are planting. “Don’t be misled --- you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” (cf. Galatians 6:7, NLT). We will reap what we sow.

The kind of seeds we plant will produce plants of that same type. We are deluded when we expect a seed we plant to miraculously produce a totally different product than the seed type. The nature of the seed we plant determines the nature of the product it will produce.

This truth is valid in various areas of life. It is true in agriculture and gardening. If we plant corn then corn, and not tomatoes, will grow from those seeds. If we want tomatoes, we have to plant tomato seeds. The plant that grows out of the seed depends upon the nature of the seed that is planted.

This principle applies to what we contribute to relationships as well. If we plant mistrust about others, mistrust grows and we will not be trusted. If we plant trust by trusting others, trust grows and others trust us. If we plant camaraderie, camaraderie grows. If we treat others with disrespect, they will disrespect us. If we respect and honor others, they will likely respect and honor us. If we want our relationships to become all that we dream they can, we must plant quality relational seeds in others first.

Reaping what one sows is also true in developing a successful business. If we want to build loyal clients, we must plant seeds of honesty, generosity, and dependability. Andre Rieu is a musician who has worldwide success, and an incredible fan-base. One reason he is so successful is that he always gives the customers a quality product, and he gives them more than their money’s worth. At his concerts, he will play another half-hour after everyone already thinks that the concert is over.

If we want clients who value the quality of our service or product, we must make sure that our service and/or product has consistent quality, and gives a little more than was expected. Clients return because when they feel that they got their money’s worth, plus a little more. A business grows based upon the seeds that the business plants.

The principle is true in education. If we teach students to analyze and think, some will become analytical thinkers. If we present them with both sides of an issue and train them to be objective in working through the issues, they will become better decision makers. If we plant seeds of self-starting, many will become self-starters.

This ‘harvesting what we plant’ principle is true in our own spiritual lives as well. This Bible verse goes on to say that a person who only plants seeds in his/her physical existence, ignoring God and eternity, will reap in the body a harvest of what was planted. However, those who plant God’s truth and faithfulness in their souls, will obtain a spiritual harvest of what they planted. What we plant in our souls is what will grow there. If you never plant anything in your soul, nothing grows there.

Take a few minutes to evaluate what type of seeds you are planting in the various gardens of your life. Before we plant any seed, we ought to pay serious attention to the type of seed we are planting, and what therefore will grow from it. What seeds are you planting that will grow the values of God in your life and in the lives of others? What kinds of seeds are you planting in your loved ones’ and children’s lives?

We must not fool ourselves: We will get back the same kind of product as the seeds we plant, as certain as a tomato seed always produces a tomato plant.