Fly 20—Gospel Investments—Galatians 6:6-10

May 14, 2023 Nate Holdridge

They tell us we should invest early and often into our retirement accounts. I don't mean to make you feel bad if you haven't, but that investment advice provides a good way to understand our passage today. When we deposit into the right areas—I will call them gospel investments—we will eventually experience great returns. So where should we invest? Our Scripture today will give us three areas.

Before considering them, we should notice that at the center of this paragraph is a universal principle—it states that God has designed the universe so that whatever one sows, that he will also reap (7). Practically, this means that when we sow to our flesh, we will reap corruption, but when we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life (8). This is an unalterable law, which is why Paul prefaced it by saying, "God is not mocked" (7). God is unchangeable, and so is his design for the cosmos. What we sow, we will reap.

So the agricultural metaphor Paul hinted at when he wrote of the fruit of the Spirit still stands (5:22). Paul has already told us what sowing to the Spirit would produce—love, joy, peace, patience, etc.—and here he calls those elements eternal life (8, 5:22-23). But the other side of this truth is that sowing to the flesh brings an eventual harvest of corruption. What we sow today—whether flesh or Spirit—will yield results tomorrow. Even the smallest seed-like investments will develop into full-grown eternal life or corruption in our lives (8).

This principle is good because God authored it, but we decide whether its value in our lives will be positive or negative. Sow to the flesh, and its value is negative—it's a scary principle. Sow to the Spirit, and its value is positive—it's an amazing principle. So we should sow to the Spirit! We should make good gospel investments.

1. Your Church Leadership (6-8)

The first area this paragraph says we should invest in is our church leadership. Paul said, "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches" (6). Throughout Scripture, to "share all good things" is often a euphemism for financial support. It might be other good things, such as encouragement or prayer, but it definitely includes money.

And after everything Paul had to write to the Galatians, he is more conscious than ever of the need for solid Bible instruction. These believers were in danger of cashing in the gospel for legalism. They were tempted to believe lies and fall for traps that Paul carefully and strategically dismantled with the word.

As much as this was a massive need in Galatia, it is a need in our modern world as well. When the word is more rightly understood, we come to good conclusions about who God is and who we are in light of him. So good Bible teachers promote the well-being of God's people. Through solid teaching, servant-leadership, and a healthy example, they impact our spiritual, emotional, and even physical health. They calm, encourage, and correct us. They help every relationship we're in. They strengthen us in our life pursuits. They talk us out of grave errors and life-altering sins. And they help us draw close to God.

All these spiritual benefits are of great importance to everyday life, so they are worthy of financial support. As Paul said to the Corinthians, "If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" (1 Cor. 9:11).

Bible teaching isn't the only thing we need—and Sunday services are certainly not the only place we need it—but Scripture is vital to the formation of a thriving community of Jesus followers. One of my favorite moments in any church service is when someone says, "Let's turn in the Bible to..." It says to me that we are centering our lives upon the word. Just as a village situated at the fountainhead of an ever-flowing stream has what it needs to sustain life, so the church that is centered upon Scripture has access to its life-giving nourishment. And because Bible teaching is of great importance, it is worthy of the investment Paul suggested.

When Paul wrote this, he was not giving the Galatians a brand-new concept:

Ever since the days of the Exodus in the Old Testament, the spiritual workforce of priests could expect to both work hard and be supported for that work.
And the Bible says, "In the same way (as the priesthood did), the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:13-14).
When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, he told them to eat and drink what others provided because "the laborer deserves his wages" (Luke 10:7).
He also said that the religious leaders should have focused on justice, mercy, and faithfulness, all while maintaining their practice of tithing everything they had, right down to their herbs and spices (Matt. 23:23).
Paul appealed to both Jesus and the Old Testament law when he said the church should "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'the laborer deserves his wages'" (1 Tim. 5:17-18).
And in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, Paul gave eight reasons a gospel-worker had a "right" to eat, build a family, and refrain from other work so they could focus on the ministry (1 Cor. 9:1-6).
While making that long argument, Paul explained that soldiers fight wars others pay for, farmers eat the fruit of the crops they grow, and ranchers get milk from the flocks they tend (1 Cor. 9:7). And worthy gospel-workers can also be provided for, since they are fighting the good fight, tending God's field, and protecting God's flock.

There are many passages like these scattered throughout the New Testament, but they are a bit awkward for preachers to preach on. Martin Luther once wrote that he was uncomfortable preaching on passages like this one because, he said, "I am made to appear as if I am speaking for my own benefit.”[^1]

And there are obvious abuses that occur here. One abuse comes from the teachers. Are they lazy? Do they take advantage of the people? A great correction to this abuse is that they must work hard. Paul wrote to pastors: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). A worker. It is work. And their teaching should make it obvious that they aren't merely talented or gifted or humorous or dynamic, but workers.

Another abuse comes from the hearers. Some congregations have tried to control their preachers by the paycheck: Say what we want you to say. Stop saying things we don't like hearing. Tickle our ears. Good teachers must resist pressure like this, but good churches won't create that pressure in the first place.[^2]

When we invest in this area, we share in a good thing with our teachers. They gave us the goods of the word, and we give them the goods to sustain life. But we also, when we invest in this area, give to our community. Good teachers are a gift to any town and church, so this form of generosity is kindness to others. And, when we invest in this area, we give back to ourselves. Rather than merely consume the benefits of our local church, we partake in the ministry and mission of that church, embedding ourselves in its life in the process. So, strategically and methodologically, let's be a people who give to our spiritual leaders.

2. The Spirit (7-8)

The second area we should invest is directly to the Spirit. Again, Paul wrote, "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" (8).

The obvious application of this truth is that we should sow to the Spirit, but we cannot consider how to sow without considering what it looks like to sow to the flesh. Sowing to the flesh is to feed the desires of your old, sinful nature. What does this look like? John Stott described it well:

"The seeds we sow (to the flesh) are largely thoughts and deeds. Every time we allow our mind to harbor a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure fantasy, or wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh. Every time we linger in bad company whose insidious influence we know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature, every time we take a risk which strains our self-control, we are sowing, sowing, sowing to the flesh. Some Christians sow to the flesh every day and wonder why they do not reap holiness. Holiness is a harvest; whether we reap it or not depends almost entirely on what and where we sow." —John Stott[^2]

This concept of choosing not to indulge the flesh is challenging to us because we live in a time filled with catchphrases that tell us to follow our impulses and passions. The desire for pleasure is often held up as humanity's chief pursuit. We are told that "the heart wants what it wants." We are told, "Follow your heart." We say, "You, do you. Speak your truth. And be true to yourself."

What are we to do with such advice? If we are honest, there are plenty of times our desires are at odds with Scripture. Does this mean that obedience to God is disobedience to the self?

Yes and no. Yes, because we are to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow after Jesus (Mark 8:34). But no, because when we are born again by simple faith in the gospel, we receive a new nature. That part of us—the Spirit enlivened new nature within us—wants so much more than the desires of the flesh. So, in one sense, for Jesus followers, the question is not whether to follow our heart or not. Instead, the question is, what heart will we follow? Which desires do we yield to, those of the flesh or the Spirit?

For instance, I have desires for Red's Donuts, black licorice, and ice cream. In their proper time—occasionally—those desires are fine. But every night is not the proper time. Why? Because I have deeper desires for physical fitness, to hike when I'm 70, and to maybe someday wrestle with my grandchildren. So which desires will I follow? Which desires are the real me? According to the New Testament, if you are a new creature in Christ, your holy desires are the true and deepest you. Follow those desires![^3]

When you do—when you invest in the things of the Spirit—Paul said you could expect an ever-increasing harvest of eternal life (8). This is not his way of saying good people who do good things get to go to heaven—that would ruin everything he's written in Galatians. Instead, he means that if you've believed in his Son, investing in the Spirit while crucifying the flesh will help you tap into the life God has given you.

So how do we make these investments in the Spirit? How do we walk in the Spirit? What are some biblical ways to put up our sails to catch his wind? Let me mention two that take discipline in our fast-paced world.

One way is to invest in prayer. I know it's tempting to say that what you will do is merely talk to God throughout your day. We are, after all, to "pray without ceasing" (1 Th. 5:17). So by all means, pray all day long, but I'm talking about designated periods of prayer with specific petitions you repeatedly bring to him, both about your life and the lives of others. I might text my wife all day long, but that cannot be our exclusive form of communication. At some point, we need to dive deep, and when we do the same with God, just like Jesus obviously did, we are investing in the Spirit.

And since so many sins flourish when we choose constant isolation, we should invest in fellowship. Selfishness, sensual lust, engaging in foolish controversies, overspending, and worshipping our children—so many sins blossom when we disconnect from others. But intentional community with other believers is a great way to sow to the Spirit. As we share life's burdens together, God meets with us, and we are changed. And part of fellowship is the practice of confession, which is like a disinfectant that kills the spread of deadly germs. Getting our sins into the light is a great way to tap into the Spirit's power.

But we can also invest in Bible study, fasting, secrecy in good deeds, worship, generosity, or solitude and silence. If you sow to the Spirit in these ways, you will be pleasantly surprised by the harvest that grows. So though it is the fruit of the Spirit, and God must do the work in and through us, we all have a decision to make. Or thousands of decisions to make. Will we sow to the flesh or the Spirit? Donald Campbell said it this way, "Each sower decides what his harvest will be."[^4] Follow the true you! Sow to the Spirit more and more and reap a harvest of real life from God.

3. Your Community (9-10)

The third area we should invest in is in our community. Paul said, "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" (9-10). What we see in this part of the paragraph is that we are to do good to everyone. This fits the ministry of Jesus, who was indiscriminate in the way he did good to others. When he fed the five thousand, for example, everyone there received bread and fish.[^4] That said, we see here that we are to especially care for those in our church, those who are of the household of faith. And the good we are to do is regulated by opportunity—none of us has infinite time or resources, so when we can, we should do good.

This goodwill takes various forms—practical help, words of encouragement, sacrificial service—but it will often take the form of financial generosity. This is the context of the entire paragraph we've studied today. We are to invest financially in church leadership. We are to invest financially in Spirit-endorsed ministry. And we are to invest financially in those in need, especially those in the church.

Conclusion

All this might feel overwhelming. If it does, I will remind you that Paul said we should display this care and generosity and goodness towards others as we have opportunity (10). We aren't to become overburdened and overwhelmed by Jesus' yoke.

But I would also offer you the same encouragement Paul gave the Galatians: Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up (9). Weariness comes upon everyone who commits to a life filled with good works toward others. It can be painful to sacrifice, and sometimes your sacrifices will be taken for granted, and this leads to weariness. Sometimes it is your body that is weary, while at other times, it is your spirit and soul—but often, your whole person is fatigued.

And when that weariness comes upon you, the Scripture holds out a refreshing reminder: Keep sowing, keep investing, because one day you will reap a harvest! Don't give up or give in because fruit is coming. Just as Jesus foresaw the many sons and daughters who would know God because of his hard work, so we must envision the future harvest that will come if we do not lose heart.

This brings me to Mothers' Day: Mothers, do not grow weary in doing the good and hard work of raising babies into adulthood, and then loving those adults as their lives continue to evolve. It is far easier to give up and kick back, but a harvest is coming in due season if we keep working. keep disciplining. keep sacrificing, keep praying, keep blessing, keep teaching, and keep displaying the gospel. Do not give up because, one day, a harvest will come!

[^1]: Luther, Martin. 1998. Galatians. Leicester, England: Crossway Books. [^2]: Stott, John R. W. 2008. Galatians: Experiencing the Grace of Christ. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press. [^3]: Adapted from Comer, John Mark. 2021. Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook Press. [^4]: Walvoord. 2003. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook Publishing Company.