If we want health, we must sow seeds of health. If we want prosperity, we must sow seeds of prosperity. If we want love, we must sow seeds of love.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
(Gal. 6:7-9)

Notice the first part of verse 7. It warns us about being deceived. It is highly important that we not allow anybody to deceive us into thinking that we can reap (receive) anything that we have not first sowed (invested in faithfully and consistently).

The Phillips translation of the next part of this verse says "a man's harvest in life depends entirely on that which he sows." Verse 9 counsels us not to become weary in our sowing, because if we keep it up long enough, we will reap.

Of course all this is based on the assumption that we are sowing good seed. Our harvest will be whatever we sow; therefore we must be careful about the kind of seed we plant.

If we want health, we must sow seeds of health. If we want prosperity, we must sow seeds of prosperity. If we want love, we must sow seeds of love. Good crops are the result of good seed planted in good soil.

Be Not Weary; Instead, Be Disciplined
Several years ago, I began to realize that I was not in the same physical condition I had been in when I was younger. As a young man I never had to worry about my weight because I could eat anything and everything I wanted and still not gain an ounce.

But somewhere around age 34 or 35 I began to notice that I was putting on a little weight. I had already recognized that I wasn't as energetic as I used to be. I got tired quicker and had less energy. I also had to admit that I was developing a good-sized "spare tire" around the middle, and I didn't like it.

I happened to have a good friend who was a former Mr. Universe. Of course, unlike me, he was all muscle. So I made up my mind that I was going to let him put me on a regimen of diet and exercise to build me up physically. So I asked my friend to come to my house in order to get me started on a good physical fitness program.

Before he arrived I went downtown and bought myself a couple of jogging suits and some running shoes and everything I thought I would need to get in shape. Then I cleared out my garage to make room for all that new fitness equipment I was going to buy and use.

So, "Mr. Universe" arrived by plane and I went out to the airport to welcome him. Right away we set in on my new fitness program. The first day we worked out really hard—and it felt great. I could hardly wait for the next day. I had the best of intentions. I was going to get up bright and early at 5:30 every morning and start working out.

Of course, you know what happened. The next morning I was so stiff and sore, I could hardly move a muscle, much less spring out of bed "rarin' to go."

It wasn't long at all before "the new had worn off" that idea. But I kept it up for three or four days. Then I went in to show off my new physique to Carolyn. I assumed my best "Mr. Universe" pose and asked her, "Well, do you see any difference?"

"In what?" she asked.

"In me," I answered. "In my physique."

"No."

Naturally that hurt my feelings, and my pride. I thought that with all that healthy eating and sweat and hard work surely I must look like Superman by that time.

"Thanks—Don't Call Me, I'll Call You"
A short time later I again went to the airport, this time to see my muscle-man friend off on a jet. Can you guess what I did as soon as he was on his way home? That's right, I stopped off at the nearest Mexican food place and stuffed my mouth with tacos, enchiladas and guacamole!

What happened? I got "weary in well doing." I gave up and went right back to my old undisciplined, unhealthy lifestyle.

But then later on, my conscience got to bothering me. So a few months later I went back on my diet and exercise program. This time I didn't call my friend to come get me started. I just did it on my own initiative. It lasted about a week.

Once again I got "weary in well doing" and quit. Despite my good intentions, in spite of all my cherished hopes and dreams for physical self-improvement, the plain truth is that I was just too undisciplined to stick with it long enough to see any positive results. So I gave up and quit.

Take Authority Over It
It's the same with the lifestyle of giving. It's easy to make all kinds of resolutions about being a faithful, consistent giver. You can even start tithing and giving regularly. But if you're not careful, the first thing you know, you'll start asking yourself if maybe you weren't a little foolish. You'll get to wondering if it really works.

Well, the end of that story about my weight and exercise program is this: I have since gone on a sensible program, one that I can live with and keep up. I do eat right now, and I exercise regularly and wisely.

I finally took authority over my own body. I learned the best and most difficult exercise in the whole world: the exercise of self-discipline!

Don't be so quick to give up. Give as the Spirit of the Lord directs you and make it your lifestyle. Be sensitive to His leading and do what He tells you. Obedience opens the door to miracles.

Finally, don't lose heart or become discouraged. Don't become "weary in well doing." Instead, be disciplined. Keep on sowing those seeds into the work of God. The Lord Himself has promised that you will reap, if you "faint not."

Keep sowing. It won't always be easy, but the results will be well worth it.

Source: How God Supplies Your Every Need by Jerry Savelle
Excerpt permission granted by Jerry Savelle Ministries International