In a previous post, I biblically sought to define success, faithfulness, and fruitfulness in Christian service and ministry. In this post, I want to elaborate more on Jesus’s very insightful “one sows, another reaps” statement (John 4:37). For I’m starting to believe it’s one of the most humbling yet also encouraging statements he made about Christian ministry—whether it be ministry in a church, any other Christian service (such as a conversation with someone about Jesus), or just general good works in his name for his glory. Whatever our service for Christ, Jesus’s “one sows, another reaps” statement both humbles us and gives us profound encouragement.
Why “One Sows, Another Reaps” Is Humbling
First, “One sows, another reaps” humbles us.
Imagine being one of the original twelve disciples. They were the ones who were privileged to follow in the very footsteps of our Lord. Sure, they undoubtedly knew that Jesus was the one who initiated their relationship (“Follow me”); sure, they knew he chose them (and not the other way around, John 15:6). But it’s safe to say that they still had some pride in being the Messiah’s very disciples! You can see this in their conversations about greatness (eg. Luke 9:46).
Picture, then, their profound shock when Jesus tells them that their fruit was the reaping of others’ labor? How do you think they felt?
Humbled.
We can assume they knew that it was God who ultimately gives any growth (1 Corinthians 3:6), that they were not primarily responsible for growth and fruit. But perhaps they assumed that the fruit of the gospel going forth was at least due to their labor! But Jesus said it wasn’t. They were reaping what others toilsomely sowed (John 4:38).
So it might be for much of our growth. We might begin something for the Lord like a Bible study, a ministry, or just a conversation. And we may witness growth. But “one sows, another reaps” might be more of a banner over our service than we know. It may be that God, behind the scenes, has used many other people to bring to this point of growth, and we might merely be the reapers, not the sowers, picking the fruit of their labor.
Take, for example, the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. We can read that story and marvel at Philip’s Spirit-led imitation, culminating in the Ethiopian’s belief and baptism. We can look up to Philip’s obedience and his proclaiming of the word. But without a doubt, there was much more going on behind the scenes. Philip was more of a reaper than a sower. For why was the Ethiopian (not a Jews by any means) reading the Hebrew Bible? Why was he reading from the scroll of Isaiah? And why did he care about finding what it meant? All this points to others who God used previously to lead the Ethiopian up to this point. We don’t know their names, but they were just as important (if not arguably more so) than Philip in his reaping moment. They were the sowers. Philip still rightly praised God for the conversion, but he cannot think he was the main reason for the fruit.
Why “One Sows, Another Reaps” Is Encouraging
Yet the same statement that cuts our pride can also lift us up. For what if we’re the sower, thinking that our labor is not producing any fruit? In this case, “one sows, another reaps” is promising and encouraging.
Take Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch again. What if we’re not Philip, but an unnamed Christian friend of the Ethiopian eunuch who had many conversations with him that seemed to go not as far as we wished? What if we’re the unknown sower?
“One sows, another reaps” encourages us that fruit may be coming later. We may not see growth, yet that doesn’t mean our sowing isn’t going to produce growth. We just don’t know. But we sure can’t say it’s not coming because it isn’t coming now.
All we can do about growth is, with encouragement, trust in God. We seek to be faithful, following his word. But as we do, we smile knowing that he’ll bring forth his fruit in his time. It’s not up to us. And he, for his own, good reasons, may be waiting for the fruit to spring up until way after we’re gone (think again of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah).
Trusting the Gardener and Grower
“One sows, another reaps” is the short motto many of us need in Christian ministry. On one hand, when we are prone to pride, tempted to take credit for growth, we must remember that we may merely be reaping the labors of some other unknown Christians—unknown to us, but very known to God. On the other hand, when we’re very discouraged, wondering why we see little to no fruit, we must remember that growth may be coming in God’s timing, that we ourselves may be the unknown sower—unknown to others, but very known to God.
We need, then, a long term view of Christian service. Longer than days, weeks, years, and even longer than lifetimes. Our God is sovereign, and he works his plans in a myriad of complex ways. Where do we and our Christian service fit in his plan? Are we doing more sowing or reaping in our Christian service? Only he fully knows. But we trust him, knowing that he, the Gardener and Grower, knows best.
