The Spirit-Filled Support of the Gospel Brings A Harvest

Galatians 6:7–8 (NIV),

⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Paul is teaching on Spirit-filled benevolence.  He continues the point he made before but now will be broadening it to include charity to more than teachers but to all in need.  The principle that binds all this paragraph together is this: “. . . A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7, NIV).  Luther also ties this thought to the previous instruction on supporting ministers.  "Paul horribly threateneth here such tyrants, and such mockers of God, who so carelessly and proudly do scorn the miserable preachers, and yet will seem to be gospellers, and not to be mockers of God, but to worship him very devoutly." [1] 

So Paul elucidates the principle that in our acts of benevolence and charity, when done in the Spirit, will bring a harvest of righteousness -- or eternal blessings (as opposed to temporal blessings).  "If a man spends his money on what gratifies his fleshly nature, he will reap a fleshly harvest. And since the flesh is mortal and will one day pass away, the harvest will pass away also. On the other hand, if a man uses his money to promote spiritual causes and to feed his spiritual nature, the resulting harvest will remain . . . Thus, as in the case of ministers, if congregations refuse to support them and so forfeit good teaching, preferring to spend their money on themselves, the results will be corruption. But if, on the other hand, they support good teachers, a spiritual harvest will result." [2]

What is the deception from which we are warned?  "Though a man may fool himself (by sowing little but expecting much), he cannot fool God and the results of his poor sowing will be manifest." [2] 

Luther correctly asks a question at this juncture.  Is Paul saying that good works result in eternal life? The answer is yes and no.  We cannot forget what the Apostle has taught before, that salvation is by faith alone.  But it is equally true that those who have faith must be exhorted to good works. "For if works follow not faith, it is a manifest token that their faith is no true faith." [3]  Secondly, as noted above, the spiritual fruit is not necessarily in their own lives, but through the ample support of God's ministers, it will result in a harvest of righteousness to others. 

Father, Christ has already taught us to “. . . open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35, NIV). What might be all that is needed to send out laborers?  Perhaps its my money or the affluent excesses of the western church? Spirit-filled people are generous people. Spirit-filled people plant seeds that bear spiritual fruit. I thank you that I serve a generous congregation. This is all of Your grace.  But we do not give sacrificially -- or at least I don't. Lord forgive my stingy fleshly sowing and grant to me and my wife a generous spirit -- especially in the aid of helping Gospel workers who are going where we cannot go; and are doing what we cannot do. Indeed the laborers are few -- perhaps simply because of lack of support.  Open the floodgates of support to these ready and willing workers, dear Lord.   I pray for a harvest of righteousness, here and around the world.  For the glory of the Lord and the happiness of all the nations.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:7). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/D. Two Practical Exhortations (6:1-10)/2. The use of money (6:6-10), Book Version: 4.0.2

3. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:8). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.