“Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant” (Galatians 6:7 CEB).
We need not look any further than the Biblical example of King Solomon to see the principle behind Galatians 6:7 in action: “…you reap whatever you sow” (NRSV). The Old Testament book of 1 Kings tells us that Solomon became the king of Israel following the death of his father, King David (1 Kings 2:10-12). Shortly after Solomon assumed the throne, God made the following offer…
“At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you'” (1 Kings 3:5 NIV).
Here was Solomon’s response…
“‘…give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?’ The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Then God said to him: ‘Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days” (1 Kings 3:9-14).
So God honored Solomon’s decision to ask for wisdom and gave him the additional blessings of riches, honor, and prosperity. The consequences associated with that request made Solomon the wisest, wealthiest, and most powerful leader of his day. But that decision also led to an effect that spread far beyond Solomon’s personal life. Since Solomon was the king of Israel, the entire nation shared in those blessings by extension.
So this decision led to consequences that were not only good for Solomon but good for many others as well. Unfortunately, Solomon turned away from God as he grew older- and that decision led to other consequences that we’ll consider next.