An Eternal Investment

One sows and another reaps...

Already the reaper is getting his wages, for he is gathering fruit (crop) unto life eternal, so that he who does the planting and he who does the reaping may rejoice together. For in this the saying holds true, One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap a crop for which you have not toiled. Other men have labored and you have stepped in to reap the results of their work. - John 4:36-38

Can you think of specific people that have sown seeds of faith into your life? Those first encounters with Truth, and with God, through Christians you may (or may not) have been receptive to? I can look back to my childhood and see the seeds that were planted in me. But the reap came later, and it was not without toil and labor!

Those of us who are raising (or have raised) children can attest to the blood, sweat and tears put into tilling the soil of our children's souls to plant those first seeds; praying they will fall on fertile ground.

One sows and another reaps...

The work of sowing is often without reward, without gratitude and without acknowledgement. It may require investment. It may lead to rejection. It many even lead nowhere. To sow seeds of truth into an unbeliever's life doesn't guarantee a reap of eternal life. 

On the other hand, Jesus urged his disciples to fix their eyes on matters of eternity. When we see a lost, confused world, Jesus sees a harvest:

"Look! I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields and see how they are already white for harvesting." - John 4:35

Each encounter we have with friends, family, neighbors, even strangers who don't know Christ is an opportunity to sow. It may be the first seed planted in them. It may be the fiftieth.

But maybe, just maybe, they are a fruit ready for harvest. Maybe there is a long line of sowers who have gone before you, and God chose you to do the reaping. Luke 15:7 says:

"I tell you in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

May we feel the same urgency Jesus felt when He 'observed the fields'. We could spend a lifetime sowing. And sometimes, it may become discouraging. But with one reap, we can be sure as we rejoice, Heaven is rejoicing along with us.

Thoughts for the Week:

1. Who are the sower(s) and reaper(s) in your own life? Have you thanked them for investing in your eternity? 

2. What keeps you from diligently sowing into the lives of unbelievers you know and come in contact with?

3. Who might God be asking you to plant seeds of Truth in? Will you do it?