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Have you ever done something nice for someone, but they didn’t notice it? Maybe you made a special dessert for your spouse, but they acted like it was just another Tuesday night dinner. Or, perhaps you donated money to a friend, but they didn’t even say thank you. Whatever the gesture of kindness, we as humans can experience everyday weariness when serving, giving, or loving feels unnoticed.
Planet Earth revolves around fast results. We take in and spit out 24/7. Consumerism is part of our culture, and for the most part, we don’t have an issue with it. And yet, Christians are challenged by God’s Kingdom—a way and path that works and operates much differently.
In Galatians 6:9, we are told these words: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (NIV). For context, Paul is encouraging the Galatians to press on, fight the good fight, avoid sin, and strive for holiness. We must cling to our spiritual desires and resist our sinful nature. But honestly, this can get exhausting.
Here, the agricultural imagery of sowing and reaping a harvest is pivotal to our understanding. As the Enduring Word commentary notes, we are called to share with one another (in our sufferings and burdens and our gifts and offerings). Why? Because sharing in all good things reflects the value of reaping and sowing:
“A farmer reaps the same as he has sown. If he plants wheat, wheat comes up. In the same way, if we sow to the flesh, the flesh will increase in size and strength. The farmer reaps the same as he has sown, but not exactly. The apple seed doesn’t just grow more apple seeds, but more apples with seeds. Even so, when we sow to the Spirit – even with material things – what we reap is not necessarily material things, but something better: of the Spirit we reap everlasting life. So we don’t give as a crude “investment” or money-making scheme, though we are completely confident we will never be the loser for giving.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Ecclesiastes 11:6, and Matthew 13, we see similar illustrations:
- Work hard for the Lord, and know that your work isn’t wasted.
- Faithfully plant your seed, but know that the growth is ultimately up to the Lord.
- No matter what you plant, plant with deep roots.
The results of a sown seed won’t be immediate, but someday, we will see it. There may also be seeds sown that we know nothing about until we see the harvest in Heaven. If we know this, then why do we grow weary in doing good?