Our Creator has put into place certain laws, both natural and spiritual; to remind us that He is a God of order and justice. One natural law, the law of gravity, displays God’s order in creation. This law makes playing catch with my boys and the football in my front yard possible and fun. It would be frustrating if the ball flew off in a different direction every time I threw it. Instead, the law of gravity makes it easier for me to judge how far, and how hard I need to throw the football.
One spiritual law, the law of the harvest, manifests God’s justice in the world. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” We know that this is certainly true in agriculture. If you plant 10 acres of potatoes, you will not reap 10 acres of corn. God has established this to be true in His universe. You only reap what you sow.
I was reminded of this the other day in the simplest of ways. The Friday before the Florida State home football game against Maryland, I went on campus to have lunch with a friend. If you have ever tried to park on a university, you know it can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, I was able to find a parking spot with a meter.
After lunch, I was getting in my truck to leave when a gentleman, who was visiting Tallahassee for the Saturday football game, called to me to get my attention. He had also found a parking space close to mine, but had no quarters for the meter. Politely, he asked me if I had four quarters he could borrow. I said yes and gave him the quarters. As I handed him the quarters, he reached out with his other hand to give me a one-dollar bill. I told him to not worry about it and to have fun at the football game. He insisted that I take his money, but I refused his offer.
I got in my truck feeling good that I was able to bless a complete stranger in a small but practical manner. Once I pulled out of the parking lot, I never thought about that incident again until a few days ago when I found a one-dollar bill on the asphalt as I was getting in my truck to drive home from work.
Now, let me take a minute to clarify a few things. First, I gave away those four quarters with no expectation of receiving anything in return. Second, I never find money on the street. In fact, when I used to work at Florida State University, there was a group of runners who would collect the money they would find on the road at the bottom of their lockers. Pennies, nickels and dimes were valued treasure, but finding a quarter was like hitting the jackpot. They introduced me to the idea. After ten years of running on and around the campus, the bottoms of their lockers were full and mine was empty.
So, for me to find a dollar bill on the street was like winning the lottery. As I picked up the dollar bill, the incident of me giving the gentleman those four quarters popped into my mind with the scripture: “You reap what you sow”! I felt like God was reminding me that even the small and somewhat insignificant acts of kindness are huge in his eyes.
I know God is omniscient, sovereign, and I believe His providential hand guides us daily. He knew I was going to have an opportunity to help a stranger, and he knew I was going to find that dollar bill later on. God also knew that he was going to connect those two incidents in my brain with his scripture to encourage me to keep doing good deeds.
It is easy in today’s cruel world to become cynical and allow our hearts to become calloused. When this happens, we spend our time living full of bitterness, unforgiveness and anger. I believe one of the ways we prevent this from happening is by doing good deeds.
Galatians 6:9-10a says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”
The omnipotent God used a simple request from a stranger, four quarters, and a dollar bill to remind me of this important truth. Be aware of the little ways God is demonstrating that “you reap what you sow”, and don’t miss your opportunity to do something good for someone else!
