Reaping a Good Return

The Penny A Day Challenge

Have you heard about the “Penny a Day Challenge?” In this challenge you save a penny on day one; each day add a penny to the previous day’s savings; and by day 365, you have $667.95. Now $667.95 is not a lot of money, but there are a whole lot of people who would love to be able to say they have $667.95 in their savings- because right now, they don’t. 

You pay as a little as one penny and never pay any more than $3.65 in a day. You can double it if you want and have $1335.90. That’s pretty neat. It takes discipline, but it’s completely doable.

The bible says we reap what we sow; and the Penny a Day Challenge is a simple illustration of how that works. Small investments over time could yield big pay offs. Saving a penny, then two, then three doesn’t look like it’s doing much- until some point down the road. Eventually you start to see the fruit of your investments, paying off. For a lot of people that gives the encouragement to continue the course.

Spiritual Applications

Paul said, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). He’s talking about sowing/planting/investing) to the flesh and sowing/planting/investing to the Spirit. Where you sow, plant your seeds of effort, is where you’ll find your reward.

For example, when you plant your seeds of time and energy into learning the Word of God, getting to know God, building a relationship with Jesus Christ; praying and seeking His Will; that will yield a spiritual reward. None of your efforts are lost of wasted. You grow wiser, stronger, and more Christ like. You are being transformed by the unction of the Holy Spirit, to do these things. 

Likewise, in giving meager time and efforts to your spiritual life will leave a faith that’s wanting. You may not see it at first, but the little sown in, yields little faith. When real life hits, it won’t be enough to carry you through- except for the grace of God. Those who say, all you need is mustard seed size faith, are not quoting scripture. When Jesus said, “Oh ye of little faith,” it was not a 

compliment. It was a rebuke. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Roman 10:17). Faith, as a grain of mustard seed grows from tiny to abundant; and it does grows. True faith must grow.

Other Applications

I find it works in the whole economy of life. It applies to envy and bitterness as well as grace and forgiveness. The more you focus on and rerun that hurt, the worse you feel. Meanwhile, when you exercise grace and forgiveness (as the Word of God commands), while the hurt may not go away completely, it no longer consumes you, and sometimes you actually do forget- even if only for a season.

It applies to money and finance. The more you learn and apply simple strategies and tools, like tracking your money, budgeting, saving, and investing, you’ll start to see your finances turn around. Investing in learning how to develop a heathier relationship with money may be just the thing that makes your new way of doing business, stick this time.

What About the Exceptions

Scriptures says you reap what you sow, but you have probably been in situations where you invested considerable time, money, and/or efforts and did not get the outcome expected. In fact, you may have ended up in the red, ended up with a loss (time you can’t get back, money wasted, and resources strained, and relationships damaged). So, what about the exceptions; the times we don’t reap what we sow? How do you stay encouraged when you don’t see the fruit of your labors paying off?

The Word of God doesn’t give any exceptions. Sometimes it may feel like you are just spinning your wheels because you don’t see the fruit of your good efforts. You have been showing up for weeks or months, but don’t see notable results or things look bad. Believe God. Your efforts are not in vain. Sometimes they just aren’t tangible or obvious; or pay day may be reserved for a later time- but God is faithful; it is working for your good.

 Conclusion

Sowing and reaping applies to relationships, education, careers, business, etc. The best way to reap good is to sow good; to do good.  “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap [a good reward], if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

Continue the good things you have started and may God bless you richly.