It is important to apply the laws of bible interpretation when reading the bible .

We must not read things into scriptures or add to it .

We have to receive what is written and accept it .

We must read every scripture in the context wherewith it was written .

We must read the pretext ,the post text and bring it into context .

Let me give an example .

Gal 6:6-10

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 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.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Now many have read vs 7 in isolation and concluded on it in isolation but that is a very wrong way to read the scriptures .

So to understand vs 7 we must read the verses before and the verses after .

So Paul speaks of giving to bible teachers .

Then he now says whatsoever a man sows that shall he reap .

He says that in the context of giving to bible teachers .

So what are the sowing ? They are sowing material things .eg materials ,money ,gifts etc .

So the context is giving to bible teachers .

But in vs 8 he now says “he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap ”

Notice what he didn’t say .He didn’t say ” he that sows to the flesh shall of the flesh or shall of his flesh ” .

If he said ” he that sows to the flesh ” then it would mean he is sowing to his unregenerated flesh the old man and that man is dead . it would have referred to the actions of the old man .

When “the flesh” is used it usually refers to the old unregenerated man .

So he says instead ” sow to his flesh shall of the flesh reap ” .
So he is saying here that ” giving or spending for selfish purposes will end in the flesh or won’t last long beyond here and now ”

The word corruption is the Greek “phthora ” it means perish or destruction .

So the reaping is spoken of in comparative terms .

If you sow in the flesh what you reap isn’t forever .

If you sow to the spirit which is in this context giving to your bible teacher ,you will reap something that will not die or perish .

Your harvest will be forever !

So basically Paul is saying give to your bible teacher so he can do what he is called to do .

What is the bible teacher or ministry gift called to do ?

Eph 2:20-22

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The ministry gift lays the foundation for the christian faith in the believer and helps him grow .

Now what is being built? An eternal temple which is Gods everlasting habitation – the church!

So what we reap by sowing to bible teachers and ministry gifts is the everlasting impact of what our giving accomplishes !

Now you may say doesn’t my sowing financial seeds give a financial harvest ?

Think !

If the harvest is money then it is not eternal .it is corrupt and will perish .

If the harvest is money the harvest isn’t eternal because money isn’t eternal .

We must read in context.

Written by Pastor Femi Olaleye

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