What Is the Principle of Sowing & Reaping

Do a person's actions dictate their quality of life? Are people simply subject to life's lottery? Is the good or bad that happens to them is merely fate? The common phrase "You reap what you sow," is actually a proverb intended to answer these questions. The principle of sowing and reaping is a fundamental law based on lessons taught by ancient farming methods in Biblical scriptures.

History

To analyze the sowing and reaping proverb, some knowledge of Biblical farming is needed. In Biblical times, fields were planted in the fall and harvested in the summer. Keep in mind, the lands of the Bible were hot and dry and their seasons differed greatly from the farmlands of North America.

The "sower" would scatter seeds on the ground followed by a "plower" who tilled them under. This is in contrast to modern farmers who plow, then plant and finally cover their seeds. The ancient farmers relied on their faith that rain would come to their parched lands.

Function

In the simplest form, the principle of sowing and reaping means a person gets what she deserves. It is a moral proverb indicating that everything you do has repercussions. In depth, the adage stands for a lifetime. What is done throughout a person's life effects her life both on Earth and thereafter.

Features

The literal scripture of sowing and reaping is found in the Bible in Galatians 6:7-9. Paraphrased, it says not to be misled, God can't be ignored and a man reaps what he sows. It goes on to declare if a man caters to his own desires, he grows in evil and will experience "spiritual decay" and death. It continues by indicating if a man follows the "Spirit" during life, his reward will be life everlasting. The scripture ends by encouraging followers not to tire of doing what is right or give up, as reward will eventually come.

Benefits

Ancient farming also explains the meaning of the "good seed." Some farmers sow or scatter seeds in a "feed the chickens" manner. Not all seeds fall on good soil. Some seeds fall into the path of the plower's footsteps and some land on rocky ground. These seeds do not take root and grow and are considered bad seeds.

Due to Biblical reference, a bad seed came to be known as one who did not mature properly or grow spiritually, because they did not use "good soil" intended to mean "God's word."

Considerations

Other religions also embrace the "you reap what you sow" principle in their own way. Hinduism and Buddhism embrace the concept in their ancient belief of Karma. Karma is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "actions." Though interpreted differently by both religions, Karma has the same basic meaning; a person's actions are in direct correlation to her good or bad fortune throughout her current and next life.