Sowing and reaping 

I asked a friend this week how things are going. He responded, "Far better than I deserve."

It wasn't said jokingly. This gentle fellow was thoughtfully expressing thankfulness that life was treating him better than he had treated it.

We tend to look at such sentiments as expressing health, wealth, happiness, achievements...all items which are part of the American success quotient.

My friend's response caused me to ponder my own harvest. We are familiar with the scriptural approach to reciprocity: Galatians 6:7 "...A man reaps what he sows." But, is there more to it than just - you get what you deserve?

It also takes into consideration intensity, amount, compounding, escalation, and, intent! Consider these passages: 

2 Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 

Proverbs 22:8 "He who sows wickedness reaps trouble..."

Hosea 8:7 "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." 

Hosea 10:12 "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. 
13. But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors..." 

Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 
8. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 
9. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

 So, my friend, consider your life today. Are you living with intensity? What are you putting into your life, your relationships, your family, your job...? How much of what? When you compound your input, what are you getting? When this return escalates, will you be happy or is that something to fear?

What has been, and is, the intent of the way you are living your life? Are you righteous? That is - do you do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons?  Or are you wicked (that which is apart from righteousness)?

The chickens will come home to roost. And they will have multiplied.