![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/05\/grillfire.jpg\")
While preparing for a cookout on July 3, 2006, a Delaware man decided to use gunpowder rather than charcoal lighter fluid to get the coals glowing in his grill. \u00a0This “unorthodox” fire preparation method blew up on him, and he suffered burns on his hands and face. \u00a0Oh, police said the man had been drinking. \u00a0(“Quick Takes”, July 22, 2006, p. 7).\nThis is one of those episodes that seems so obvious. \u00a0What could that man have been thinking, alcohol and all? What did he think gunpowder would do? \u00a0Couldn’t he (like the rest of us) see what would happen if he mixed fire and gunpowder? \u00a0The consequences were obvious, long before the explosion.<\/p>\n
Yet, how many of us engage in the same sorts of things in the spiritual realm? \u00a0We think we can make God into whatever we want Him to be, and all will be well. \u00a0We think we can ignore God and all will be well. We think we can choose for ourselves and leave God out, and all will be well. \u00a0But the fact is, in charcoal grills and in faith, what goes around comes around. \u00a0How you decide to live is how you will live. \u00a0Paul makes this clear. \u00a0“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. \u00a0For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. \u00a0And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. \u00a0So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith<\/em>” (Galatians 6:7-10). \u00a0In these verses, the apostle lays out some basic principles of planting and harvesting. \u00a0God knows you will harvest only what you plant. \u00a0Notice what we learn:<\/p>\n You can’t plant carrots and get radishes. \u00a0You can’t plant roses and harvest tomatoes. \u00a0What you plant is what will sprout and grow. \u00a0There is a basic rule of gardening. \u00a0What you do is what you get.<\/p>\nPaul applies this principle to the choices you make now. If you choose to cater to your passion and pleasures, you will not harvest holiness and purity. \u00a0If you choose to give in to your selfish impulses, you will not experience unselfishness in your life.\n And, notice, this principle applies in two ways. \u00a0First, when life is over you will be judged by God based on what you sowed. \u00a0If you sowed in sin, you will harvest in punishment. \u00a0If you sowed in selfishness, loneliness and isolation will be your harvest.<\/p>\n Second, this happens now, in this life as well. \u00a0People who give in to their anger, often live in violence and volatile arguments, seldom experiencing peace. \u00a0People who are selfish seldom have people looking out for them. \u00a0They take care of number one first and foremost, and others let them.<\/p>\n You see, if you don’t like the environment of your home or workplace or friendships, the person you need to examine is yourself. \u00a0You are probably planting some seeds that keep sprouting that make you miserable. \u00a0If you want a happier life, learn to be happy and kind toward others. \u00a0When you plant unselfishness, you will harvest the love and attention of others.<\/p>\n And, finally, realize that what you plant in this life will be your harvest in the next. \u00a0God will not be mocked, that is, you can’t get this by the Lord. \u00a0He knows what you are planting in your home, your work, your relationships. \u00a0What you plant will determine your eternal salvation.<\/p>\n Do you sow to please the flesh? \u00a0Or, do you sow to please the Spirit? \u00a0Are you more interested in the good times you can have right now, or are you more interested in making the Lord happy? \u00a0These are not trivial questions as they will say a great deal about your long-term happiness and well-being.<\/p>\n Where do you find your pleasure? \u00a0Is it in what you can enjoy, what you can own, what you can experience? \u00a0Or, is it in the happiness and joy you offer to others? \u00a0Do you go do your own thing and not worry about what God would say, or do you try to please Him in all things?<\/p>\n Here again, there is a dual application to this principle. \u00a0Some people think having a good time is all that matters. \u00a0For some, it is physical pleasure, for others, financial gain, for others sports and movies. \u00a0Eventually, these things stop paying off. \u00a0So, the addict needs stiffer drinks. \u00a0The glutton faces serious health issues. \u00a0The sports fanatic shares little with anyone outside his passion. \u00a0In other words, what you choose to enjoy in this life, what gives you pleasure will determine what kind of life (and afterlife) you experience.<\/p>\n If you learn to make God happy, to sow to the Spirit, you will also determine your future here and in the next life. \u00a0That is why Paul goes on to talk of doing good for others, especially those who are related by faith. \u00a0If you can learn to find joy in helping, happiness in sharing, satisfaction in seeing others happy, then you are sowing to the Spirit. \u00a0And, in that atmosphere, you will reap a reward in this life and in the next life.<\/p>\n Paul encourages us so that we will not quit doing good. \u00a0The harvest may seem distant at times, but we must continue to do good to all men so that our reward is safe and secure. \u00a0It is always easy to get discouraged and give up, thinking our sowing is not harvesting anything. \u00a0But, like the farmer who waits patiently for the harvest, so we must plant right now and watch for God to bring in the harvest.<\/p>\n What matters is that we tend to others, that we keep on doing good, that we do good to and for all men. \u00a0This will make you happier now and will give you a great reward when you meet the Lord. \u00a0This requires that we sow unselfishly. \u00a0You cannot look out for yourself and still put others first. You cannot take care of yourself while neglecting others and still tend to them first. \u00a0The bottom line is simple. \u00a0What matters most is how you treat people.<\/p>\n God explains this clearly. \u00a0“And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you<\/em>” (Colossians 3:12,13). \u00a0It is how we treat others that matters. \u00a0Are we kind, compassionate, humble, gentle, and patient? \u00a0Do we put up with each other, even to the point of forgiving others when they sin against us? \u00a0You see, what matters is how you treat others.<\/p>\n You can create a wonderful harvest. \u00a0You can reap peace, harmony, happiness, and eternal life. \u00a0Or, you can live for yourself and plant a lonely, unfulfilled, empty life. \u00a0You are choosing right now what your harvest will be in the coming months, years, and even eternity.<\/p>\n So, what are you planting? \u00a0Look at your life and decide. Are you serving others, doing good for all men, putting others first? \u00a0Or, are you looking out for number one, taking care of your wants at the expense of others, seeking a good time before caring about the needs of other people? \u00a0What are you planting each day with your words and actions?<\/p>\n If you were able to answer the first question, then you know the answer to this one. \u00a0If you sow to your flesh, you will reap a harvest that is difficult and tragic. \u00a0If you sow to the Spirit, you will reap a harvest that is rich and full in this life and the next life. \u00a0Once you honestly face the seeds you are planting around you, you will know exactly what your harvest will look like. \u00a0So, what will you harvest?<\/p>\n This may seem too simple, but it is nevertheless still true. You cannot sow to please your sinful desires and harvest a home with God. \u00a0you cannot sow to satisfy your passions at the expense of others and harvest a happy home life. \u00a0You cannot sow laziness and selfishness and harvest a powerful career. \u00a0What you sow, is what you will get.<\/p>\n If your aim is to make the Lord happy, then do what He says. \u00a0“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. \u00a0Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. \u00a0You are My friends, if you do what I command you<\/em>” (John 15:12-14). \u00a0You can make the Lord happy simply by doing what He commands. \u00a0This includes doing good to others. \u00a0It includes learning to love others in both action and word. \u00a0It includes trusting in Him to save you.<\/p>\n “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. \u00a0He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; be he who has disbelieved shall be condemned’<\/em>” (Mark 16:15-16). \u00a0You can argue with this. \u00a0You can refuse this. \u00a0But you cannot sow to please the Lord unless you do what He commands. \u00a0Sow to the Lord by being baptized today. \u00a0Then, you will reap a harvest that is unimaginable.<\/p>\nTrust Him, be saved — today!\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 56, No. 8, Feb. 23, 2007 While preparing for a cookout on July 3, 2006, a Delaware man decided to use gunpowder rather than charcoal lighter fluid to get the coals glowing in his grill. \u00a0This “unorthodox” fire preparation method blew up on him, and he suffered burns on…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[38,179],"class_list":["post-34833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-morality","tag-sin"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13650,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-seeing-or-touching-private-areas-a-sin\/","url_meta":{"origin":34833,"position":0},"title":"Is seeing or touching private areas a sin?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 20, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I went to your website and wanted to know a few things that I'm too embarrassed to ask anyone else about. I was wondering if the following were considered sins. So since you are a Bible site, I figured you'd know. Please be specific and everything. Is it a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":44013,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/ive-become-pregnant-by-a-man-ive-been-dating-for-two-years-but-he-wont-leave-his-other-girlfriend\/","url_meta":{"origin":34833,"position":1},"title":"I’ve become pregnant by a man I’ve been dating for two years, but he won’t leave his other girlfriend","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 19, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am a young lady, aged 24 years. I have been dating a man for two years now. When we first met he told me he had a girlfriend and a child, and that he wasn't happy where he was. We continued with our friendship up until it turned\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":41377,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/i-think-i-love-a-man-who-is-a-player\/","url_meta":{"origin":34833,"position":2},"title":"I think I love a man who is a player","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 23, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hi there. I'm really lost in love. I'm a Christian and I've been searching for love for a long time. I've been used for sex so many times. I've been in relationships based on sex. I don't know why I attract these types of guys. I really do want\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33843,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/seeking-to-ruin-a-reputation\/","url_meta":{"origin":34833,"position":3},"title":"Seeking to Ruin a Reputation","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 31, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 1999 He had seen Jesus after the resurrection (Acts 9). He had been left dead and had seen things on the other side that it was not lawful to speak about (see Acts 14:19; II Corinthians 12:4). The man was powerful, influential beyond measure.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5055,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-the-man-always-make-the-first-move-in-a-relationship\/","url_meta":{"origin":34833,"position":4},"title":"Should the man always make the first move in a relationship?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 30, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am now in a community where most men at my age are married; only one is single. I think he is a very good person, I don\u2019t dress immodestly like I used to. I think physical attraction would not be important for a man seeing a good woman,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14284,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-was-johns-baptism-different-from-jesus-baptism\/","url_meta":{"origin":34833,"position":5},"title":"How was John’s baptism different from Jesus’ baptism?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 9, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have some questions about John's baptism. I've read about how it was a fulfillment of prophecy to prepare the way, but I'm really confused about what that really means and what the point of John's baptism was. I am curious about a few things: What does \"preparing the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34833"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34833\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What You Do Is What You Get<\/h2>\n
What You Enjoy Is Your Future<\/h2>\n
What You Do For People Matters Most<\/h2>\n
What Are You Planting?<\/h2>\n
What Will You Harvest?<\/h2>\n
Sow To The Lord<\/h2>\n