SOW SORRY

James Riddle Hoffa’s name was plastered all over his thick FBI files. He beat multiple raps that included racketeering, extortion, embezzlement, bribery. Hoffa ruled the Teamsters Union with a heavy-handed and even murderous reign. The infamous Teamsters boss and mafia figure disappeared in 1975. Hoffa’s disappearance was due, in no small part, to the fact that his Mafia contacts were not exactly happy with the autobiography he was currently writing — an autobiography that would likely reveal all his misdeeds and illegal dealings with the mob. Even though his body has never been found, Hoffa was declared legally dead in July of 1982, seven years after his disappearance. No one has been able to prove what happened to Jimmy Hoffa. Depending on what you believe, he was:

• Shot by a hired killer at a house in Detroit and his remains cremated.

• OR he was dispatched with a hunting knife and then buried in a 55-gallon drum, which was then placed in an old car, crushed in a compactor and sent to Japan as scrap metal.

• OR he was buried under a residential driveway.

• OR he was interred in a shallow grave in a field near a restaurant.

• OR he was entombed in concrete beneath the end zone at the stadium in Meadowlands, New Jersey.

Whatever you believe, what is almost certain is that somebody did to Jimmy Hoffa what he had very likely ordered done to others.

“ ⁷ DO NOT DECEIVE YOURSELF, GOD IS NOT MOCKED [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THIS and THIS ONLY IS WHAT HE WILL REAP. ⁸ For the ONE WHO SOWS TO THE FLESH [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] WILL REAP FROM THE FLESH RUIN and DESTRUCTION, but the ONE WHO SOWS TO THE SPIRIT (OF GOD), WILL FROM THE SPIRIT, REAP ETERNAL LIFE. ⁹ Therefore, DO NOT BECOME WEARY or BECOME DISCOURAGED IN ACTING NOBLY and DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, for AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP if we do not give in. ¹⁰ So then, WHILE WE [as individual believers] HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, let us DO GOOD [morally] TO ALL PEOPLE [not only BEING USEFUL or PROFITABLE TO THEM but also DOING WHAT IS FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL GOOD and ADVANTAGE]. BE MINDFUL TO BE A BLESSING, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO ARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers in Christ].” [Galatians 6:7-10 (AMP)]

You can believe God will forgive your sin when you repent, but that does not mean you will always be free from sorrowful consequences. That is why it’s so important to be intentional about how you “sow.”

Jimmy Hoffa delved into evil practices that brought about his demise. Do not deliver evil for evil. Instead, sow your time, talent, treasure and prayers wisely in ways that will reap goodness — for you, your family, and for America.

“ ⁷ WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THIS and THIS ONLY IS WHAT HE WILL REAP. ⁸ For the ONE WHO SOWS TO THE FLESH WILL REAP FROM THE FLESH RUIN and DESTRUCTION, but the ONE WHO SOWS TO THE SPIRIT (OF GOD) WILL FROM THE SPIRIT REAP ETERNAL LIFE. ” [Galatians 6:7-10 (AMP)]