The Bread of Life
In my devotion time this morning I was first reading in Galatians 6, and when I read verse 8, I thought, Lord, I want to sow from the Spirit. But sometimes it feels like my running and working is so worldly. How do separate the two? Working for You and working for the world?
Then I rabbit-trailed to reading in John chapter 6, I came across verses 26-40. Especially verse 26 that says, “Truly, I tell you, you are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has sent His seal of approval on Him.“
This made me question what I’m working for and what my heart truly seeks. Is it provision or is it purely Jesus? Then I began to doubt my own heart, my own righteousness and then even my redemption. I know that of myself I’m not righteous without Christ. But what is the expectation I’m running toward truly for? Because if it’s money it’s wrong.
The verses in Galatians 6:7-9 says “do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit, reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
I started to mind map what the Scripture was speaking to me about. Sometimes that’s the only way I can grasp the full picture.
Galatians 6 – Sowing and Reaping
Paul’s words remind us that there are two kinds of “sowing”:
To the flesh → investing in things that only satisfy our temporary, earthly needs (status, money, recognition, comfort).
To the Spirit → investing in eternal things (obedience, love, service, generosity, faith).
The encouragement isn’t to stop working altogether, but to check the motive and direction of our work. If my running, laboring, or striving is primarily for gain, applause, or security apart from God, then that’s “to the flesh.” But if those same efforts are surrendered to Christ with the aim of glorifying Him and blessing others, then they become “to the Spirit.”
2. John 6 – The Bread of Life
Here Jesus warns: “Don’t work for food that perishes.” The crowd followed Him for another meal, not for the deeper gift of eternal life in Him.
The question He puts before them is the same one He puts before us: Do you seek Me for what I give you, or for who I am?
Provision isn’t sinful because Jesus Himself fed the 5,000. But if provision becomes the goal rather than the Provider, the work drifts toward worldliness. The “food that endures” is Jesus Himself: knowing Him, obeying Him, and living out His will.
3. So how do we separate the two?
We can’t always separate where we work (a job in the world) from why we work (our heart’s motive). But we can keep them aligned with the Spirit by:
Surrendering Motives Daily: Ask, “Lord, is this about me or about You?” Even a secular job can be Spirit-led when offered as worship.
Seeking First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33): Let our primary pursuit be Jesus. Then our earthly work becomes a means of serving Him, not a rival to Him.
Viewing Work as Mission: Our job provides not just money, but opportunities to witness, to live with integrity, to bless coworkers and clients. That’s sowing to the Spirit.
Resting in Christ: When we find ourselves striving anxiously for money, we step back and remember that He is the Bread of Life. Our soul’s hunger is met in Him, not our paycheck.
4. Encouragement
In and of ourselves, we are not righteous. But Christ’s righteousness covers us. The very fact that our conscience is troubled by our motives shows the Spirit is at work in us. We can’t condemn ourselves. Instead, we just keep bringing our work, our schedule, our striving under the Lordship of Jesus.
Galatians 6:9 ends with hope: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
So remember, our labor in Him is never wasted.