Most people are pretty familiar with the old adage, “you reap what you sow.” As you may have guessed, this phrase originates from Galatians 6:7, which was written by the Apostle Paul and was inspired by God Himself. When this verse was written around 50 A.D., agricultural metaphors probably landed exceptionally well. Today, most of us get the gist—you can’t harvest what you don’t plant. But is that really all there is to it?

The process of planting and harvesting can be quite complicated, actually. Timing is everything. And, boy, isn’t that a spiritual issue we struggle with? Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” But we are so unwilling to wait for God’s timing in our lives; we want an instantaneous harvest, but any farmer with experience will tell you that’s just not how things work in the physical world. Similarly, although He is certainly capable of instantaneous miracles, God often takes His time. It may drive us nuts, but it also builds our faith! Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Not only is timing a crucial factor, but there is a whole lot of work required between the sowing and the reaping. You can’t just plant a seed in the ground and ignore it. You have to cultivate it. That means ensuring it gets enough water, sunlight, and nutrients. And here’s another kicker: after you plant a seed, it takes a while to see any evidence of its growth, right? It could be days or weeks before the sprout breaks through the surface. So, in the meantime, do you assume your work was futile and give up? No! That’s when faith is critical. You must remain steadfast, keep the faith, and believe God’s promises are true—that He will bless the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17), whether that work is growing a vegetable garden in your back yard or pursuing God’s will and purpose for your life.

Finally, when the harvest is all said and done, what do you actually do with all of that bounty, whether it be physical or spiritual? Do you shutter it all up in a barn and keep it for yourself? Of course not! We are blessed so that we may bless others (2 Corinthians 9:8-11, Luke 12:48). We are commanded to use our time, talents, and, yes, money for the good of others!

Consider how you can make the choice today to apply the principle of sowing and reaping to every aspect of your life!