What Does It Mean To Reap What You Sow?

The concept of sowing and reaping implies that our actions have consequences.

A simpler way to sum up sowing and reaping would be to say that whatever you put into something, whether it be resources, time, effort, whether good or evil, you will receive the result of it. So then, what can also be said is that how much you put into something could also determine how much you get out of it.

The phrase, ‘You reap what you sow’ is used in several different contexts from religious to political arenas, and in everyday speech.

In a biblical sense, the word sowing is used as a metaphor for one’s action and reaping is the result of that action. Sowing and reaping are principles in God’s kingdom.  The Bible speaks about sowing and reaping in several scriptures such as in 2 Corinthians 9 vs 6, “The point is this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (ESV) In Proverbs 22 vs 8, “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.” (ESV) In summary, the phase suggests that whatever you sow you will reap, whether good or evil.

Martin Luther King Jr. in his 1965 speech, “How Long, Not Long” also known as “Our God Is Marching On” used the phrase to imply that justice and racial equality that was being fought for would eventually be achieved. He said, “I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because “truth crushed to earth will rise again.” How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long, because “you shall reap what you sow.”

In everyday speech, use of the phrase “You reap what you sow” typically suggests that your actions will result in the suited consequence. In most cases however, the use of this phrase in everyday speech is to convey a negative consequence to an action.

Conclusion

“You reap what you sow” is used in many different contexts. All in all, it implies that a future consequence will be determined by your present actions.

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