“You reap what you sow” (Gal. 6:7). This is no pithy aphorism.

This comes from the Apostle Paul himself. It’s true in every context of life. We're all walking in the consequences of choices we made in the past... Some good, some bad.

Do you ever consider that other people reap what you sow into their lives as well? Consider the fact that every moment you pray for, encourage, spend time with, challenge, and correct other Christians you're not only investing in the person directly in front of you, but also in every person that they turn around and influence (especially their spouses and children).

Don’t Waste Your Time, Use It!

Tonight I’m giving a lecture on systematic theology called “God as King in the Post-Modern Context.” So, rather than simply get in my car, drive by myself, teach by myself, answer questions by myself, and then drive home by myself—I chose to invite our two interns to come along with me. 

They both love theology and are headed into the ministry so they’ll most likely enjoy this evening. However, there’s more. The drive is a one and a half hour commute... both ways. That’s what I’m most interested in. This is not time to be wasted. This is time that can be redeemed with the tiniest bit of intentionality. They have questions, ideas, new discoveries, problems, and issues like every other man in the world and need an older brother to bounce things off of. 

I care whether or not these men take their theology and actually put shoe-leather on it.

I have come to realize that these two young men in just 10 years, will be 31 years old just like me. Married just like me. Children just like me. It is those future relationships that I’m ultimately investing in. Those ladies that marry these men will be reaping. Their children will be reaping. Their co-workers will be reaping. Their friends will be reaping.

By investing in the character of these young men and sowing gospel-centered manhood into their lives, I’m praying that they will reap righteousness later. Of course, that means sharing some of my mistakes and short-comings as well as some of the wise decisions and victories I’ve had along the way. 

Today Is a Sowing Day

You see, today is a sowing day for me. I care how Steven will talk to his wife in 10 years from now when he’s all done with school and lecturing in a local seminary. I care about how Ryan will treat his baby boy when he comes in after a long day of church-planting. I care whether or not these men take their theology and actually put shoe-leather on it. I care whether their theology is summed up on a piece paper hanging on a wall or in their lifestyle.

By investing in the character of these young men and sowing gospel-centered manhood into their lives, I’m praying they'll reap righteousness later.

So tonight is simply a means of sowing good seeds on good ground so that their wives, babies and grand-babies will love, serve, and know Jesus. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God stands forever. 

Some Tips on Sowing & Reaping:

• Redeem your commute time everyday. Call someone from your church and check in on them, pray with them, and see what they might need. 
• If your wife is having a girlfriend over, go out and hang with one of your men.
• A simple text message sometimes can go a long way, so send one. 
• If you’re working on something around the house and could use a hand, call one of your boys and ask for a lift.
• You’re going to eat at least 21 meals this week. Eat at least one of them with some gospel-intentionally like your big brother, Jesus.