Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

This, of course, brings to mind Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” People wouldn’t commit sins if it didn’t look like they were getting something desirable, in the moment at least. However, such “benefits” are illusory, as this verse says, and lead ultimately to death. A common point of most temptation is the immediate result, which is in some way satisfying or exciting. Premeditated murder is preceded by many sins of hatred and thinking of revenge. Otherwise, such plots would never be hatched. For most sins, the immediate payback is more obvious, even if it’s something as small as getting a bit more sleep instead of choosing to read the Bible and focus on God. We are all for immediate payback! However, such benefits are illusory indeed. In contrast, this verse speaks of “sowing” righteousness. When you sow seed you don’t get an immediate harvest, not the next day or even the next week. Farmers and gardeners have to exercise patience! However, the result of sowing righteousness is money in the bank, as the Japanese renders this verse. We might not get the immediate “rush,” but the results of living for and with God can be relied on, in every sense of the expression.

Paul Harvey said, “Age might not give you wisdom, but it does give you perspective.” I have certainly had my battles with impatience over the years, but they have gotten easier with time. It also helps that I’ve been burned by sins of the moment, and I’ve benefited from righteousness over the long haul. A common thread in most of my counseling is that those needing the counseling are obsessed with their immediate situation and can’t see past it. Sometimes it helps to point out someone whom they know who happens to be in an even worse situation at the moment. Lao Tsu said that living in the past is regret, living in the future is anxiety, and living in the moment is peace. That is true to an extent, but for the Christian, present and future take on new dimensions. The Christian is a child of God right now, which is indeed peace and joy, but they have an eternity of fellowship with God to look forward to in the future, which is certainly not anxiety. It can be frustrating as a pastor to deal with people who are believers and yet can’t seem to grasp this fundamental truth. I have to remember God’s patience with me and exercise that patience toward them, “sowing righteousness” one step at a time, so that in the end we may see the harvest of a life liberated from the traps of the devil.

Father, You know the people and the situations I deal with better than I do. Help me trust You with them indeed, even when I can’t see the next step to take. Help me truly walk in Your righteousness at all times, so that You may gain the harvest You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!