Sow to the Spirit

Galatians 6:6-10

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Paul instructed the Galatian believers to bear one another’s burdens as a demonstration of love in fulfillment of the law of Christ. Now he gives them a specific example of how they can do that. Since they were taught the word of God, they were to share all good things with their teacher. It takes a lot of time to routinely prepare Bible studies, which would reduce the teacher’s capacity to work and receive an income. The Galatians were to help bear the financial burden of daily life with the one who gave them biblical instruction. Neglecting to support the one who taught them the word was tantamount to mocking God, and they were not to be deceived about the consequences. Paul describes finances as seeds. They could plant their financial seeds in worldly things, which could only produce fleshly fruit. Everything in this world will eventually be corrupted and ruined. However, if they planted their financial seeds in spiritual things, they would receive spiritual rewards. Since they would reap what they had sown, Paul encouraged them to not grow tired of doing good because in due time they would reap their spiritual rewards if they did not give up. Paul’s final exhortation in this passage was for them to continuously do good to all when opportunities arise but especially to other Christians.

I find it amazing that people will spend thousands of dollars for a college education, but they think tithing is a waste of money. They have no problem paying worldly teachers while they allow spiritual teachers to live in poverty. They invest in a secular education so they can earn more money and spend it on their carnal desires, but whatever worldly possessions they buy will not last. All of it will be destroyed. When you give to a spiritual cause you aren’t paying off a debt, saving for retirement, or providing for one of life’s necessities. You don’t see the fruit of your investment because it’s not tangible. As a result, it’s easy to get tired and to lose heart because it seems like your money could be doing more for you if you used it somewhere else. When you share your finances with those who teach the word of God, it isn’t just to bless the pastor, teacher, or ministry. It actually blesses you! It is better than any retirement account because God gives the greatest return on investment. Do not think that supporting a minister or a ministry is a waste of your financial resources. You are bearing the burden of other believers. You are doing what is good. You are demonstrating your love for God and His people. You are fulfilling the law of Christ, and you are storing up eternal treasures for yourself in heaven. Just because you may not see any profits in this lifetime from financially supporting the one who teaches you the word, do not grow weary because those rewards will come. For that reason, be encouraged and do not lose heart as you sow to the spirit in this life.