These are possibly some of the most serious verses of the Bible to stir believers into a greater commitment to being true disciples of Jesus Christ.  They remind us that God has created a ‘cause and effect’ world in which actions (and failure to take appropriate action) have consequences: some are experienced in this life, some in the next (1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 2:1-3).    

In part, this passage refers to the need to share resources with other believers, and spiritual leaders (Galatians 6:6); but it is more generally applied in Galatians 6:9-10 which instructs us not to be weary in doing good to all people, especially believers.  The Apostle Paul says that the gospel message teaches us to forsake ungodliness and be eager to do good (Titus 2:11-14).  God’s desire is that we will sow righteousness and reap love (Hosea 10:12), rather than sow vainly and reap a tornado that destroys everything (Hosea 8:7).  

Those who ‘sow to please their flesh’ will earn God’s wages for their sin (Romans 6:23).  But those who are led by the Spirit, giving themselves to serve in whatever way He commands, are already demonstrating the transformed lifestyle which is the early experience of eternal life.  This is not a message of ‘salvation by works’ (Ephesians 2:8-9) but a message to encourage discipleship.  Of course, we are all sinners and that is why Jesus Christ died to take the punishment which was due to each of us.  However, those who ignore His grace will reap destruction.
 
The clear message here is that if we please ourselves, we will only end up with the wreckage of our inevitable failures; but if we live to serve the Lord and His people then we will receive His blessing.  Follow Jesus and share His reward; or seek our own pleasure and lose His reward.  However hard it is to read the words of this verse (do read them again), they are necessary words.  God is not fooled: so let us repent and turn back, plead for His mercy and receive His grace to be a servant of the Great King (like the people in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). There is no lasting value in being a little king satisfying ourselves with pleasure – that is the route to losing everything.