From the very beginning of the church, sharing was one of the marks of Christian experience (Acts 2:41–47). The Greek word, koinonia, simply means “to have in common,” and refers to our common fellowship in Christ (Gal. 2:9), our common faith (Jude 3), and even our sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Phil. 3:10). But often in the New Testament, koinonia refers to the sharing of material blessings with one another (Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 8:4). It is this that Paul has in mind in these verses.
Most of us are naturally selfish and must overcome this fault as we mature. Paul shows how grace frees us to share financially with others. He begins in verse 6 with a precept on generosity. He says that we must share our financial resources with our spiritual leaders. When a pastor-teacher shares instruction, then the student is to reciprocate by sharing all good things. Pastoring and teaching is time-consuming and is sometimes a thankless job. Let us share our appreciation for these pastors and teachers.
But we must realize the spiritual principle that lies behind this precept. God does not command believers to give simply that pastors and teachers (and missionaries, Phil. 4:10–19) might have their material needs met, but that the givers might get a greater blessing (Gal. 6:7–8). The basic principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the entire Bible. God has ordained that we reap what we sow. But God has also told us to be careful where we sow, and it is this principle that Paul deals with here. He looks on our material possessions as seed, and He sees two possible kinds of soil: the flesh and the Spirit. We can use our material goods to promote the flesh, or to promote the things of the Spirit. But once we have finished sowing, we cannot change the harvest.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 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. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- We must remember that what we do with material things is an evidence of how we value spiritual things. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21)
- There is a much wider application of the principle to our lives; because all that we do is either an investment in the flesh or the Spirit.
- The seed that is planted does not bear fruit immediately. There are seasons to the soul just as there are seasons to nature, and we must give the seed time to take root and bear fruit.
- Be patient, work for the Lord in faith, with the right spiritual motivation, and keep the patience of hope.
- We are to “do good to everyone.” This is how we let our light shine and glorify our Father in heaven. It is not only by words that we witness to the lost, but also by our works. Honestly, our works may pave the way for our verbal witness; they can win us the ability to share the gospel
CLOSER LOOK:
Verse 6: One responsibility of each believer is to support of the pastor-teachers in the church, financially and through other means. Perhaps the Judaizers had influenced some of the believers to slack off in their support of the teachers, a special group who were giving their full time to this ministry and who were reimbursed for their labors (cf. 1 Cor. 9:7–14). This concept of voluntary giving to provide for the Lord’s servants was revolutionary since Jews were taxed for the support of their priests and Gentiles paid fees, made vows, etc., to sustain their religions.[1] The admonition is clear that as a teacher shares the good things of the Word of God, a believer is to reciprocate by sharing “all good things with the one who teaches.”
Verses 7–8: These verses elaborate on the previous exhortation. To support his admonition to give, Paul shares a principle of cause and effect. First, a solemn warning is sounded that “God is not mocked.” Why should we heed this warning? Because a person reaps what they sows. No person can mock (myktērizetai, literally, “turn up the nose at” or “treat with contempt”) God whose rule, “for whatever one sows,” is immutable. Each sower decides what his or her harvest will be. If a person “sows to his own flesh,” that is, if they spend their money to indulge the flesh, they will reap a harvest that will reap corruption and fade into oblivion. On the other hand, if they use their funds and gifts and abilities to support the Lord’s work, or “sows to the Spirit,” and promotes their own spiritual growth, they will reap a harvest from the Spirit that will last forever. One who turns up their nose at God and sneers at Him doesn’t change this immutable “law of the harvest.” Disregarding God’s counsel, we will always suffer. Each of us by our thoughts, attitudes, and actions is constantly planting for a future reaping. Time may pass before the crop ripens, but the harvest is inevitable. Consider the harvest! In this application of the harvest principle, by giving (sowing) to our spiritual leaders, we can expect to reap a spiritual harvest of abundant ministry. In contrast, a Christian who fails to support their spiritual leaders is sneering at God and can expect discipline. Such a selfish Christian spends their resources to gratify their own personal desires. In contrast, the Christian who shares their finances adds interest to the capital of eternal life.
Though a broader application of the principle is legitimate it seems clear that Paul was dealing primarily with the question of financial support of Christian workers in the Galatian churches.[2] However, in a broader application of this principle, remember there are no miracle crops. You reap spiritually, relationally, mentally, and physically in direct relation to what you plant. It is foolish to think that you can live irresponsibly and not suffer damaging consequences.
Verse 9: Having given us the precept (Gal. 6:6) and the principle behind the precept (Gal. 6:7–8), Paul now gives us a promise (Gal. 6:9): “for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Behind this promise is a peril: getting weary in the work of the Lord, and then eventually giving up, and stopping our ministry. But Christians may become discouraged with spiritual sowing because the harvest is often long in coming. In the face of this reality the apostle charged the Galatians not to “grow weary” or give up because the harvest is sure. Paul included himself, when he said “us,” as he no doubt contemplated his sometimes frustrating labors on behalf of the Galatian Christians. The reaping will come in “due season” or at God’s proper time, which may be only in part in this life and in full in the life to come at the judgment seat of Christ. It is discouraging to continue to do good and not see a reward. Paul challenges the Galatians to keep on giving because God promises to reward those who are faithful in the long run.
Verse 10: Christians have a measure of responsibility “to do good to everyone,” when the opportunities arise. When Jesus fed the 5,000, both saved and unsaved participated. So the benevolence of Christians should not be restricted. One thing to think about as you ponder this verse, many scholars will say that believers are to have the priority as we “do good to everyone” based on the last phrase of “especially to those who are of the household of faith.” An example used is as in a home, family needs are met first, then those of the neighbors. Though Christians should be willing to help anyone in need, caring for fellow believers is still a priority. This does not mean that the local church should become an exclusive clique with the members isolated from the world around them and doing nothing to help the lost. Rather, it is a matter of balance. Certainly, the believers in Paul’s day would have greater needs than would the outsiders, since many of the believers suffered for their faith (cf. Heb. 10:32–34). Furthermore, a person always cares for their own family before they care for the neighborhood (1 Tim. 5:8).
This passage then speaks clearly about Christian social responsibility, but it should be noted that it is addressed to individual believers. The church is not an agency for social work, though individual Christians are charged to minister in this way as they are able and have opportunity (cf. Rom. 12:17–21).[3]
[1] Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 610.
[2] Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 610.
[3] Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 610.