Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)
As a gardener, one of the things I hate is planting something and having crabgrass or other weeds grow up around it. It would be worse if I planted tomato seeds, and brussels sprouts or lima beans came up. Fortunately, as Gregor Mendel’s laws of inheritance point out, when you plant tomatoes, you get tomatoes, not brussels sprouts or lima beans.
Planting good seeds is not the only thing necessary to get a harvest of tomatoes. Even if you plant the perfect seeds, if you plant them in the wrong place, or the wrong way,
Part of the problem when it comes to sowing seeds of behavior is that this sort of plant requires. A good deed planted may not produce a harvest of good deeds. Like gardening, it requires a few other factors. For a good deed to result in good harvest, you need to consider where you plant it, how you plant it, and why you plant it.
Good deeds of eggs planted in southern Asia produced a crop of ruined businesses. Good deeds of clothing donations did harm to the members of the economy of East Africa. In Proverbs, we’re told that a high-volume blessing early in the morning doesn’t tend to be well-received. Wait until after they wake up and smell the coffee.
I’ve also read that the best way to make someone hate you is to help them. I’m going to refer to this as conspicuous assistance. It’s virtue signaling. “See everyone, I’m HELPING this person. Now he and you should be very appreciative. See what a good person I am?” I suspect God isn’t pleased with someone who says, “I did X, Y and Z, so now they, God and possible you owe me.” That sort of attitude takes all the good out of the good deed. Years ago, I made the mistake of planting Lemon Balm in my garden. It's a wonderful plant until it's growing here, there, and in the neighbor's yard. Even a good plant, in the wrong place or for the wrong reason is a weed. I tear it out by the roots.
Planting good seeds is not the only thing necessary to get a harvest of tomatoes. Even if you plant the perfect seeds, if you plant them in the wrong place, or the wrong way,
Part of the problem when it comes to sowing seeds of behavior is that this sort of plant requires. A good deed planted may not produce a harvest of good deeds. Like gardening, it requires a few other factors. For a good deed to result in good harvest, you need to consider where you plant it, how you plant it, and why you plant it.
Good deeds of eggs planted in southern Asia produced a crop of ruined businesses. Good deeds of clothing donations did harm to the members of the economy of East Africa. In Proverbs, we’re told that a high-volume blessing early in the morning doesn’t tend to be well-received. Wait until after they wake up and smell the coffee.
I’ve also read that the best way to make someone hate you is to help them. I’m going to refer to this as conspicuous assistance. It’s virtue signaling. “See everyone, I’m HELPING this person. Now he and you should be very appreciative. See what a good person I am?” I suspect God isn’t pleased with someone who says, “I did X, Y and Z, so now they, God and possible you owe me.” That sort of attitude takes all the good out of the good deed. Years ago, I made the mistake of planting Lemon Balm in my garden. It's a wonderful plant until it's growing here, there, and in the neighbor's yard. Even a good plant, in the wrong place or for the wrong reason is a weed. I tear it out by the roots.
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