Serving and Sharing

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

Paul gives us a great word of encouragement that has to be true, because the law of the harvest is never broken. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” (Galatians 6:9). One of the tests of spiritual maturity is if you are willing to keep walking in the dark when you don’t see the light. You are willing to continue to stand when you want to sit. You are willing to stay when you want to leave. You are willing to reenlist when you want to quit. That would only happen if you believe that at the proper time you will reap a harvest.

It is not that you may reap a harvest, or you might reap a harvest. It is not even if you could reap a harvest or you should reap a harvest. God Himself promises you will reap a harvest. But you must remember the harvest doesn’t come on your clock, it comes on God’s. There is a return on the investment of serving. Keep serving. Keep doing good. Keep working for God, because you will reap what you sow.

Then Paul ties his letter to the Galatians up with a bow saying, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers,” (Galatians 6:10). Every day, life gives us opportunities to sow good seeds, to serve other people, and to share with the hurting. Every time you get the opportunity to do something good for somebody else, do something good for somebody else! You will have finally arrived in life when you realize the greatest blessings are not when someone does something good for you, but when you do good for someone else.

God has given all of us gifts and abilities. But if you are not taking your gifts and abilities in some way and serving the church, you are living a big part of a wasted life. Jesus himself said, “I didn’t come to be served. I came to serve.” Jesus didn’t save you to be served; he saved you to serve. Don’t waste your life. Don’t ever quit serving the Lord. Don’t ever quit sowing the seeds. Don’t ever quit sharing the good, and you will know that your life wasn’t wasted when you hear these words at the end of your life, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Dear God, I want to live a life filled with serving and sharing. Help me to follow Jesus’ example in these acts and give me opportunities to serve you well while I’m on this earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.