One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
~ Galatians 6:6-10
Explaining his previous points, Paul now launches into a practical application. First, it is important that those who are focused on preparing for the weekly sermons and attending to the spiritual needs of the local body of believers have their needs met. Not just spiritual, though it is important to pray for your pastors and elders, but their financial and physical requirements as well. Remember, their job is not one of glamour – they are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the needs of the flock which God has placed them over and they see people in all manner of situations – both in the very best of times and in the very worst. They not only teach from the Word of God, but they and welcome in babies and help families cope after the death of loved ones. If anyone in your church should have their needs met, it is those who spend their time in the service of the flock.
Next, he states something that is often misunderstood and misquoted. I’ve often heard the statement that someone will be getting rich soon because they have “sowed a good seed” with God (meaning they’ve donated beyond their means) and hope to “reap” big rewards. This is a stupid assumption. It not only speaks of a lack of understanding about the nature of God, but an ill-conceived notion that God owes us when we give to Him. God owns everything and, if anything, we are merely returning back to God a tiny portion of what He has given to us.
It is for this reason that Paul explains his statement in that those who seeks to fulfill the desires of their hearts will reap the rewards of this life which end in eternal torment, whereas those who abandon their desires and trust in the Holy Spirit to lead them will reap the rewards of eternal life. As Christians we are not promised a good, happy, or trouble free life, but that we will have our needs met and that in the end we will live in Heaven with our Creator and Savior. That is the end goal for us, not anything we can receive here.
That being said, we should not ever tire from seeking after God and serving Him. Our work on earth will not go unnoticed. This work that we complete here does not save us, nor does it buy us favor with God, but as I explained in the last post, it is our opportunity to reflect back to God the love and grace which He has shown to us by working to serve others. So, who are we to serve? Ultimately, everyone, but first and foremost we are to serve our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Why then do so many churches make their ministry be about the business of serving non-Christians? I’m not entirely sure. In serving the body, we reveal to the world our love for one another and, as a result, they are reached for Christ to the glory of God.