Galatians 6:7 – Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap. (HCSB)

Titus 1:2 – My aim is to raise hopes by pointing the way to life without end. This is the life God promised long ago — and he doesn't break promises! (MSG)

I have a paper route — so that I will get outside and get some exercise and fresh air five days a week. Some of my grandchildren have paper routes as well: two children in a family of four. The mother of these children babysits a younger child.

There were times this summer when I couldn't do my route for various reasons. At the same time, those two grandchildren who have paper routes were away. Daniel, another boy in that family, then took on the responsibility of doing my paper route, as well as that of one of his siblings, plus the route of one of his neighbours. The child whom Daniel's mother babysits went along with Daniel for one week of delivering papers.

At the end of the week, Daniel's mother insisted that he pay the younger boy for helping him. Daniel wasn't really very happy about having to do this, but he did understand that the younger boy had earned something for helping. It wasn't much that he paid him, but a little bit so that the younger boy would be rewarded for his work as well. Daniel's dad didn't know that Daniel had paid the younger boy for doing papers that day.

The same day, Daniel's dad discovered a watch on his desk at work that had been given to him by his company. He didn't need it, so he decided to take it home for Daniel. He wrote Daniel's name on it and put it at his plate at supper time. Daniel was thrilled to receive such an expensive gift, and for no reason whatsoever. However, Daniel's mother reinforced in Daniel's mind that what goes around comes around — we reap what we sow.

Later that evening, Daniel was lying in bed, holding his watch, admiring it. He was thrilled with it. My hope is that he remembers that at such a young age he did reap what he sowed. That is a lifelong lesson to learn — the earlier the better. His reaping was immediate. Yet at times, we don't see that we have reaped anything from our labours. The promise is there, though: we will reap what we sow.

How about us? Do we give of ourselves? Our time? Our resources? Do we give for the right reason? Do we want immediate reaping for our labours? Let's ask God to shine His light into our hearts to reveal any wrong motives we may have for giving.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your Word does say that we will reap what we sow. It is a promise. And yet, often times, we don't see that we have reaped anything. We may not see any of the fruit of sowing for years, or maybe not until we reach heaven. But that is okay. We know that Your Word is true. You cannot lie. Help us to trust You each and every minute of the day as we serve You. Amen.

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About the author:

Judy Miller <gjmiller@telusplanet.net>
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
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